Question

Felix exclaims that his quadratic with a discriminant of -1 has no real solutions. Felix then puts down his pencil and refuses to do any more work. Create an equation with a negative discriminant. Then explain to Felix, in calm and complete sentences, how to find the solutions, even though they are not real.

Answer 1

the solution will be imaginary or complex numbers

Answer 2

Would you mind helping me create an equation for this question?

Answer 3

yes OK
the discriminant is b^2 - 4ac for the equation ax^2 + bx + c = 0)

Answer 4

so we need to make b^2 less than 4ac
so make all the signs positive and a less than c. let a be 0.

Answer 5

I meant b less than c and let a = 1

Answer 6

alright, I know that we need to use b^2 - 4ac and just replace the numbers into ax^2 + bx + c = 0 but how would I choose the terms? Trial and error will take awhile ._.

Answer 7

@welshfella hey, I've found a solution where x = -1 but I'm not sure where to make the discriminant -1 o.e

Answer 8

@phi @abb0t @Abhisar @jim_thompson5910 @Directrix @Loser66
do you guys think you can help me form an equation please? c:

Answer 9

@perl @ParthKohli @pooja195

Answer 10

@TheSmartOne @sammixboo @eliassaab @bibby @EclipsedStar @geerky42

Answer 11

Discriminant don't have to be -1. It just need to be negative.

You were asked to create an equation with a negative discriminant.

So like @welshfella said, you just need \(b^2\) to be smaller than \(4ac\)

Saying, you can just let a=1, b=1, c=1, then you will have \(x^2+x+1\), so its discriminant would be negative (-3 to be exactly).

Answer 12

For the answer, I'd like to prove that it could be -1 though

I appreciate you responding c:

Answer 13

Well, I don't think it's possible for it to be -1, assuming a, b, and c can only be integer.

Answer 14

I see what you mean, I've tried and could only get it using decimals.

Answer 15

maybe using an odd number for b^2 would help though?