Question

Use the discriminante to determine the nature of the root of the following equation y^2-5y-3=0

Answer 1

two distinct real roots

Explanation:

The coefficients of the equation are ...

a = 1

b = -5

c = -3

So, the discriminant, b^2-4ac, has the value ...

(-5)^2 -4(1)(-3) = 25 +12 = 37

This number is positive, so the square root of it is non-zero and real. This means the two roots are real and distinct.