# Math Help - roots of equation

1. ## roots of equation

if i am asked roots of equation for ax^2+bx+c=0 which formula is this, it may seem easy but i not sure what asking

2. Originally Posted by gregorio
if i am asked roots of equation for ax^2+bx+c=0 which formula is this, it may seem easy but i not sure what asking
If $a\not = 0$ and let $\Delta = b^2 - 4ac$.

If $\Delta >0$ the roots are $\frac{-b+\sqrt{\Delta}}{2a},\frac{-b-\sqrt{\Delta}}{2a}$

If $\Delta = 0$ there is just one root $-\frac{b}{2a}$

If $\Delta < 0$ the roots are $\frac{-b+i\sqrt{-\Delta}}{2a}, \frac{-b-i\sqrt{-\Delta}}{2a}$. Where $i$ is defined to be so that $i^2 = -1$.

3. Originally Posted by gregorio
if i am asked roots of equation for ax^2+bx+c=0 which formula is this, it may seem easy but i not sure what asking
You should use the quadratic formula for the roots.

RonL

4. Originally Posted by gregorio
if i am asked roots of equation for ax^2+bx+c=0 which formula is this, it may seem easy but i not sure what asking
Or, if you want some practice, you can solve this using the completing the square method. The final answer is the quadratic formula.

-Dan