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What is the expression b squared minus 4ac called?
AThe coefficient
BThe discriminant
CThe determinant
DThe remainder
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. The discriminant
1. The quadratic formula holds a square root, and b squared minus 4ac sits under it.
2. That expression is called the discriminant.
3. Its sign alone tells how many solutions there are and whether they are real or complex.
_Source: OpenStax Intermediate Algebra (CC BY 4.0), section 9.3 Solve Quadratic Equations Using the Quadratic Formula_
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