To evaluate the discriminant for the quadratic equation \(6x^2 + x + 8 = 0\), we can use the formula for the discriminant:
\[ D = b^2 - 4ac \]
In this equation, the coefficients are:
- \(a = 6\)
- \(b = 1\)
- \(c = 8\)
Now plug these values into the formula for the discriminant:
\[ D = (1)^2 - 4(6)(8) \]
Calculating this step by step:
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Calculate \(b^2\): \[ 1^2 = 1 \]
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Calculate \(4ac\): \[ 4 \cdot 6 \cdot 8 = 192 \]
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Now, substitute these values back into the discriminant equation: \[ D = 1 - 192 = -191 \]
Therefore, the discriminant \(D\) is \(-191\).
The number of real solutions can be determined based on the value of the discriminant:
- If \(D > 0\), there are 2 distinct real solutions.
- If \(D = 0\), there is exactly 1 real solution (a repeated root).
- If \(D < 0\), there are no real solutions (the solutions are complex).
Since our discriminant is \(-191\), which is less than 0, we conclude that:
There are no real solutions for the equation \(6x^2 + x + 8 = 0\).