Quadratic Formula:
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The quadratic formula provides the solutions to quadratic equations of the form ax² + bx + c = 0. It's a fundamental tool in algebra for finding roots of quadratic equations.
The calculator uses the quadratic formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the roots by considering the discriminant (b² - 4ac) which determines the nature of the roots (real or complex).
Details: Finding roots is essential for solving quadratic equations, graphing parabolas, and analyzing various mathematical and real-world problems involving quadratic relationships.
Tips: Enter the coefficients a, b, and c from your quadratic equation. The calculator will provide both roots, whether they are real or complex.
Q1: What if the discriminant is negative?
A: The equation will have complex roots, which the calculator displays with imaginary components.
Q2: What if a = 0?
A: The equation becomes linear, not quadratic. The calculator requires a ≠ 0.
Q3: How accurate are the results?
A: Results are accurate to 4 decimal places, sufficient for most practical purposes.
Q4: Can this be used for factoring?
A: Yes, knowing the roots (r₁, r₂) allows you to write the factored form as a(x - r₁)(x - r₂).
Q5: What's the geometric interpretation?
A: The roots represent the x-intercepts of the parabola described by the quadratic equation.