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Mathematics 17 Online
OpenStudy (anonymous):

In your own words explain why a quadratic equation can't have one imaginary solution.

OpenStudy (lgbasallote):

because according to the discriminant of the quadratic formula... \[b^2 - 4ac > 0 \rightarrow \text{2 real solutions}\] \[b^2 - 4ac = 0 \rightarrow \text{1 real solution}\] \[b^2 - 4ac < 0 \rightarrow \text{2 imaginary solutions}\] does that answer your wonders? :)

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Yes, but do you know exactly why?

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Or are those just postulates?

OpenStudy (lgbasallote):

lol wow my 1000th medals for answers hehe and what do you mean "exactly why"

OpenStudy (shane_b):

Wouldn't it simply be because the formula includes: \[\pm \sqrt{b^2-4ac}\]So for any root that contains an imaginary value would have two solutions.

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Ooooooh yes the plus and minus sign

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Thanks, I wish i could give you a medal lol

OpenStudy (shane_b):

:)

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Sorry :\

OpenStudy (shane_b):

I won't lose any sleep over it :P

OpenStudy (lgbasallote):

@wowigetit it's actually because of the square root not the plus minus ;)

OpenStudy (shane_b):

Well, if it weren't for the plus/minus, you could actually get *one* imaginary solution :)

OpenStudy (lgbasallote):

oh you mean the positive and negative values huh

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