In mathematics, specifically in quadratic equations, the discriminant is a crucial value calculated from the coefficients of the equation.
For the quadratic equation ax^2 + bx + c = 0, the discriminant is given by the formula D = b^2 – 4ac. The discriminant determines the nature of the equation’s solutions:
If D > 0, the equation has two distinct real solutions.
If D = 0, the equation has one real solution (a repeated root).
If D < 0, the equation has no real solutions (complex roots).
The discriminant helps analyze the behavior of quadratic equations and is a key tool in solving them.