Question

What is the value of the discriminant, b2 − 4ac, for the quadratic equation 0 = −2x2 − 3x + 8, and what does it mean about the number of real solutions the equation has?

The discriminant is −55, so the equation has 2 real solutions.
The discriminant is −55, so the equation has no real solutions.
The discriminant is 73, so the equation has 2 real solutions.
The discriminant is 73, so the equation has no real solutions.

Answer 1

a = -2, b = -3, c = 8. b^2 − 4ac = 9 − 4(−2)(8) = 9 + 64 = 73. Since 73 > 0, there are 2 distinct real solutions.