To solve the quadratic polynomial \(-4x^2 - 24x - 36 = 0\) using the quadratic formula, we start by identifying the coefficients. The quadratic formula is given by:
\[
x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}
\]
For the polynomial \(-4x^2 - 24x - 36\), we can identify:
- \(a = -4\)
- \(b = -24\)
- \(c = -36\)
Now, we will calculate the discriminant \(D\) first:
\[
D = b^2 - 4ac
\]
Substituting in the values of \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\):
\[
D = (-24)^2 - 4(-4)(-36)
\]
\[
D = 576 - 576
\]
\[
D = 0
\]
Since the discriminant \(D\) is \(0\), this indicates that there is one unique solution (a repeated root) for the quadratic equation.
Next, we can apply the quadratic formula:
\[
x = \frac{-(-24) \pm \sqrt{0}}{2 \cdot (-4)}
\]
\[
x = \frac{24 \pm 0}{-8}
\]
\[
x = \frac{24}{-8}
\]
\[
x = -3
\]
Thus, the solution to the equation \(-4x^2 - 24x - 36 = 0\) is \(x = -3\).
Finally, since the quadratic equation has a discriminant of zero, it has two identical solutions. Hence, the accurate description of the solution set is:
**There are two identical solutions.**