What is the value of the discriminant in the equation shown below?
x^2 -4x +10 = 0

Question

What is the value of the discriminant in the equation shown below?
x^2 -4x +10 = 0

solomonzelman · Answer

discriminant is  `b² - 4(a)(c)`

(when looking at    `ax²+bx+c=0`  )

solomonzelman · Answer

your

a=1
b=-4
c=10

anonymous · Answer

so 16-4(1)(10) ?

anonymous · Answer

so -24?

solomonzelman · Answer

yes !!

solomonzelman · Answer

I was just about to tell you to finish the calculations.

anonymous · Answer

haha great! thank you so much!

solomonzelman · Answer

When you have an equation with a negative discriminant (like here), that would mean that there are no REAL solutions for x.

anonymous · Answer

oh so what does that mean?

solomonzelman · Answer

(you would still get some imaginary solutions though)

anonymous · Answer

so what is the value for this discriminant?

solomonzelman · Answer

`no Real solutions means` that if you were to solve for x, you wouldn't find any soltuions

solomonzelman · Answer

it is -24 (as you already said)

anonymous · Answer

oh ok... I'm a little confused on the 'no real solutions' rule

solomonzelman · Answer

'no real solutions' just means that if you were to actually try to find what x equals, in
`x² -4x +10 = 0` you wouldn't find any solutions.

There is no x-value that would work if you plug it in for x.

anonymous · Answer

ohhh got it! thank you!!

solomonzelman · Answer

Yes, (usually) when the 

discriminant = negative number       →  no solutions
discriminant = 0                               →  1  solution
discriminant = positive number        →  2 solutions

solomonzelman · Answer

You welcome !