DISCRIMINANT
1.
EXAM QUESTIONS
The following words can be used to describe the roots of a quadratic.
I
Real
II
Equal
III
Distinct
IV
Non-real
V
Rational
VI
Irrational
Which of the above words can be used to describe the roots of the equation
2 x 2  3x  4  0 ?
2.
(a)
Find the value of the discriminant for the quadratic equation
x 2  5x  3  0
(b)
Use the discriminant to state the nature of the roots in part (a).
3.
For what values of p does the equation x 2  2 x  p  0
4.
The roots of a quadratic equation can be described as:
I
IV
have equal roots?
Real
II
Equal
III
Distinct
Non-real
V
Rational
VI
Irrational
Which of the above can be used to describe the roots of the equation 3x 2  4 x  5  0 ?
5.
(a)
For the quadratic equation x 2  5 x  3  0 , find the value of the discriminant.
(b)
Use the words from question 4 to describe the nature of the roots of the equation.
EXAM QUESTIONS
1.
41, real, irrational and distinct
2.
(a)
3.
1
5.
13, real, irrational and distinct
4.
Non real
13
(b)
real, irrational and distinct