use the value of the discriminant to determine the number and type of roots for each equation to answer the following questions

2x^2-7x+9=0

1 answer

To determine the number and type of roots for the quadratic equation \( 2x^2 - 7x + 9 = 0 \), we first need to identify the coefficients \( a \), \( b \), and \( c \).

In this equation:

  • \( a = 2 \)
  • \( b = -7 \)
  • \( c = 9 \)

Next, we'll calculate the discriminant \( D \) using the formula:

\[ D = b^2 - 4ac \]

Substituting the values of \( a \), \( b \), and \( c \):

\[ D = (-7)^2 - 4(2)(9) \] \[ D = 49 - 72 \] \[ D = -23 \]

The discriminant \( D = -23 \) is less than 0.

According to the properties of the discriminant:

  • If \( D > 0 \), there are two distinct real roots.
  • If \( D = 0 \), there is one real root (a repeated root).
  • If \( D < 0 \), there are two complex (non-real) roots.

Since \( D = -23 \) is less than 0, we conclude that the equation \( 2x^2 - 7x + 9 = 0 \) has two complex (non-real) roots.