Question

Without solving the equation, determine the nature of the roots of x^2 - 2x - 8 = 0.


- Two, real unequal roots

- Two, real equal roots

- No real roots

(How would I got about solving this.)

Answer 1

use the discriminant

\[\Delta = b^2 - 4ac\]

a = 1, b = -2 and c = -8

if its > 0 then you have real roots, 2 unequal

= 0 1 repeated root( or 2 equal roots)

< 0 no real roots

Answer 2

so my answer would be 2 real unequal roots?

Answer 3

thats correct