When using the quadratic formula, if the coefficient of x squared is negative does that mean a is negative or absolute?

2. Originally Posted by olivia59
When using the quadratic formula, if the coefficient of x squared is negative does that mean a is negative or absolute?
Of course a is negative.

Here is an example:

Solve for x:

$-3x^2+21x-30=0$ Using the quadratic formula:

$x=\dfrac{-21 \pm \sqrt{21^2-4 \cdot (-3) \cdot (-30)}}{2 \cdot (-3)}$

yields

$x=2~\vee~x=5$

3. When using the quadratic formula, if the coefficient of x squared is negative does that mean a is negative or absolute?

ax^2 + bx + c = 0 is the quadratic equation. The coefficient of x^2 which is a can be positive or negative.

-2x^2 + x + 3 = 2x^2 - x - 3 = 0, but in case you have this -2x^2 + x + 3 = 0, using quadratic formula, a = -2. But if you choose 2x^2 - x - 3 = 0, then a = 2.

4. Originally Posted by olivia59
When using the quadratic formula, if the coefficient of x squared is negative does that mean a is negative or absolute?
If $a$ is negative, then $a$ is negative.