*MEDAL* Show your work to calculate the discriminant of the quadratic equation, and then state the number and type of solutions you expect the equation to have, based on the value of your discriminant. 0=x^2+6x-16

Question

anonymous · Answer

i am pretty sure you can compute 
$$b^2-4ac$$ with 
$$a=1,b=6,c=-16$$ i.e. compute 
$$6^2-4\times 1\times (-16)$$

anonymous · Answer

you could even use a calculator if you liked, but the next step would be 
$$36+64$$

anonymous · Answer

you good from there?

anonymous · Answer

I think so, with your help and a help video I'm watching I think I got it. Thank you so much!

anonymous · Answer

yw
btw since 100 is a perfect square (it is the square of 10) that means your two solutions will be rational numbers
integers in fact

anonymous · Answer

which also means you can factor 
$$ 0=x^2+6x-16\
0=(x+8)(x-2)$$ etc

anonymous · Answer

Ohh alright I see

anonymous · Answer

if the discriminant was not a perfect square, say it was 10 or 15, then the two zeros would not be rational numbers and you would have to solve by some other method, like using the quadratic formula

anonymous · Answer

okay I worked it out on my own and got this.
(6)^2-4(1)(-16)
36-4(-16)
-4x-16=64
4+64=68
I think I messed up somewhere but I'm not sure where.

anonymous · Answer

@satellite73