Math
Quadratic formula.
Definition
A formula that gives the solutions to any quadratic equation ax² + bx + c = 0. It works for all quadratic equations, including those that cannot be factored easily.
Examples
Real-world.
- 1 For x² - 5x + 6 = 0: x = (5 ± √1)/2, giving x = 3 or x = 2
- 2 For x² + x + 1 = 0: discriminant is negative, so no real solutions
- 3 Finding when a projectile hits the ground from h = -16t² + 48t + 5
Key Fact
x = (-b ± √(b² - 4ac)) / (2a)