Quadratic Formula Intro Algebra

Question

How many solutions will 4x^2-3x-1=04 x 2 − 3 x − 1 = 0 have? Also list the a, b and c values.

Answer 1

Quadratic formula: ax² + bx + c

in this case:

4x² - 3x - 1

a = 4

b = -3

c= -1

You find the number of solutions a quadratic formula has, with the DISCRIMINANT formula:

DISCRIMINANT formula: b² - 4 a c

If the Discriminant is > 0, then the quadratic formula has 2 REAL SOLUTIONS

If the Discriminant is = 0, then the quadratic formula has 1 REAL SOLUTION

If the Discriminant is < 0, then the quadratic formula has NO REAL SOLUTIONS. IT HAS 2 IMAGINARY SOLUTIONS.

in this case:

(-3)² - 4 (4) (-1)

9 - 16 (-1)

9 + 16

25 > 0, So the quadratic formula has 2 REAL SOLUTIONS.

Answer 2

Hi Arianna S

It will have two solutions

4x² -3x -1 = 0

a = 4

b = -3

c = -1

This has two solutions 1 and -1/4. You can find them by plugging a, b, and c directly into the Quadratic Formula or by factoring, give it a try.