This is the quadratic formula, it can be used to solve quadratic equations. We learned a song to the tune of “pop goes the weasel” to remember the formula.

Explanation:

X is the variable we are trying to solve.

A, B, and C are the coefficients of the three numbers in a quadratic equation:

for example:

4X² + 8X + 4 = 0

A = 4, B = 8, C = 4

plugging this into the formula, we get:

X = -8 ± √(64 – (4)x4x4)/(2)4

X = -8 ± √(64 – 64)/8

X = -8 ± √(0)/8

X = -8/8

X = -1