The discriminant and quadratic formula. Game on.

The discriminant and quadratic formula is a grade 9 math skill aligned to Common Core standard HSA.REI.B.4: solve quadratic equations in one variable. Below are 8 practice questions with answers and step-by-step explanations, drawn from the 20 the discriminant and quadratic formula problems our math games drill.

CCSS HSA.REI.B.420 questions in the bank
Kickoff

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Warm-upeasy

Solve using the quadratic formula: x25x+6=0x^{2} - 5x + 6 = 0.

Here a=1a = 1, b=5b = -5, and c=6c = 6. Substituting into the quadratic formula gives x=(5)±(5)24(1)(6)2(1)=5±12x = \dfrac{-(-5) \pm \sqrt{(-5)^{2} - 4(1)(6)}}{2(1)} = \dfrac{5 \pm 1}{2}, so x=2x = 2 and x=3x = 3.

Mid-gameeasy

What is the discriminant of 2x2+3x5=02x^{2} + 3x - 5 = 0?

Here a=2a = 2, b=3b = 3, and c=5c = -5. Substituting into b24acb^{2} - 4ac gives 324(2)(5)=9+40=493^{2} - 4(2)(-5) = 9 + 40 = 49.

Mid-gameeasy

Solve using the quadratic formula: x2+4x+1=0x^{2} + 4x + 1 = 0.

Here a=1a = 1, b=4b = 4, and c=1c = 1. Substituting into the quadratic formula gives x=4±424(1)(1)2(1)=4±122=2±3x = \dfrac{-4 \pm \sqrt{4^{2} - 4(1)(1)}}{2(1)} = \dfrac{-4 \pm \sqrt{12}}{2} = -2 \pm \sqrt{3}.

Mid-gameeasy

How many distinct real solutions does x2+6x+9=0x^{2} + 6x + 9 = 0 have?

Here a=1a = 1, b=6b = 6, and c=9c = 9. Substituting into b24acb^{2} - 4ac gives 624(1)(9)=06^{2} - 4(1)(9) = 0, so there is exactly 11 distinct real solution.

Mid-gameeasy

How many distinct real solutions does x2+x+1=0x^{2} + x + 1 = 0 have?

Here a=1a = 1, b=1b = 1, and c=1c = 1. Substituting into b24acb^{2} - 4ac gives 124(1)(1)=31^{2} - 4(1)(1) = -3, so there are 00 real solutions.

Mid-gameeasy

What is the discriminant of 2x27x+3=02x^{2} - 7x + 3 = 0?

Here a=2a = 2, b=7b = -7, and c=3c = 3. Substituting into b24acb^{2} - 4ac gives (7)24(2)(3)=4924=25(-7)^{2} - 4(2)(3) = 49 - 24 = 25.

Mid-gameeasy

What is the discriminant of x216=0x^{2} - 16 = 0?

Here a=1a = 1, b=0b = 0, and c=16c = -16. Substituting into b24acb^{2} - 4ac gives 024(1)(16)=640^{2} - 4(1)(-16) = 64.

Buzzer beatereasy

How many distinct real solutions does x24x+4=0x^{2} - 4x + 4 = 0 have?

Here a=1a = 1, b=4b = -4, and c=4c = 4. Substituting into b24acb^{2} - 4ac gives (4)24(1)(4)=0(-4)^{2} - 4(1)(4) = 0, so there is exactly 11 distinct real solution.

Overtime

12 more. Played, not assigned.

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