what is ment by the "discriminant"

Answer 1

The discriminant is b^2-4ac, or the part behind the square root in the quadratic formula. Try this website for more info.
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Without the spaces, of course.

Answer 2

When:

y=a*x^2+b*x+c

Then Discriminant is:

Ä=b^2-4*a*c

Go to en.wikipedia organd type "Dioscriminant"