This week we learned about the discriminant. The discriminant is the part of the quadratic equation that can help yu determine how many solutions there are to the equation.

So here is the quadratic equation:

x = \frac {-b +/- \sqrt {b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}

And here is the discriminant:

b^2 - 4ac

A, B , and C all correspond to the equation you are trying to solve.

So for example if you have this quadratic:

x^2 + 6x - 4 = 0

A is the coefficient to the first term

B is the coefficient to the second term

C is the third term

So in this equation A = 1, B = 6 and C = -4

Plug these into the discriminant like this:

6^2 - (4)(1)(-4)

If your answer is a positive number, there are 2 solutions.

If your answer is a negative number, there are no real solutions.

If your answer is a 0, there is 1 solution.