Solving the Quadratic Equation: y = x^2-8x+7

So the discriminant part is (b^2-4ac)so in the problem of x^2+7x+12=0the discriminant is: 49-4(1)(12)= 49-48= 1
  • #1
Joebird
6
0
I'm supposed to use this equation:

y = x^2-8x+7

To solve the following questions:

1) What is the value of the discriminant?
2) Find the roots by factoring and solving.
3) Find the roots by using the quadratic equation.

Can anyone give me some help?

Thanks! :)
 
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  • #2
Joebird said:
I'm supposed to use this equation:

y = x^2-8x+7

To solve the following questions:

1) What is the value of the discriminant?
2) Find the roots by factoring and solving.
3) Find the roots by using the quadratic equation.

Can anyone give me some help?

Thanks! :)

Try searching on google.

Do you know what the discriminant is?

Do you know how to factor?

Do you know what the quadratic equation is?

I can help you, but any type of help would be giving the answer.

http://home.alltel.net/okrebs/page6.html

Here's a link if you don't feel like searching.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #3
Is this really Algebra II?
 
  • #4
Tryed myself, the discriminant is "x^2 - 8x"?

The factor is: (x - 7)(x - 1) But are those the roots also?

Not sure about #3.

Thanks for the help! :)

PS: Yes, this is in my Algebra II class.
 
  • #6
Do you know the quadratic formula? I'll bet it's in your book. I'll also bet they define "discriminant" in the same section. (No, it's not "x^2- 8x". The discriminant is a number not an expression in x.)
 
  • #7
HallsofIvy said:
Do you know the quadratic formula? I'll bet it's in your book. I'll also bet they define "discriminant" in the same section. (No, it's not "x^2- 8x". The discriminant is a number not an expression in x.)

Why look in the book when people online will answer it? :rolleyes:
 
  • #8
It probably is in my book, but I'm sick and my book was left in my locker as I thought I was going to school today. I'm looking it up on how to do it, although I can find examples I can't figure out how they change it.

Thanks :)

PS: The roots are x = {7,1} I believe?
 
  • #9
The quadratic formula is:

{-8 ± Sq Root (64 - 28)} ÷ 2

That means the discriminant is:

64 - 28

I hope that's right.

Thanks! :blushing:
 
  • #10
Thanks for all the help. :)

On the question:

Find the roots by using the quadratic equation.

Would the answer be x = {7,14}?

Thanks :)
 
  • #11
Joebird said:
Thanks for all the help. :)

On the question:

Find the roots by using the quadratic equation.

Would the answer be x = {7,14}?

Thanks :)

Substitute your answers in the original equation. You'll see immediately if they're correct.
 
  • #12
Okay, thanks. :)

How would I find the 'x =' in the equation? (y = x^2-8x+7)

THANKS! :)
 
  • #13
High school and college level homework goes into the Science Education Zone, please.

Joebird said:
How would I find the 'x =' in the equation? (y = x^2-8x+7)

You have to show some work first.
 
  • #14
Joebird said:
Okay, thanks. :)

How would I find the 'x =' in the equation? (y = x^2-8x+7)

THANKS! :)

Hint: Take a closer look at the Quadratic Formula.
 
  • #15
Joebird said:
Okay, thanks. :)

How would I find the 'x =' in the equation? (y = x^2-8x+7)

THANKS! :)

The quadratic formula is "overkill" for this one. How can you factor 7?

Edit: I just noticed, this is not x^2- 8x+ 7= 0, which would give x= 7, x= 1 as roots, but y= x^2 - 8x+ 7. To solve that for x, in terms of y, you would need to use the quadratic formula (or complete the square).
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #16
discriminant = #'s inside the radical.

to solve the factoring problem you must know :
F-irst
O-utside
I-nside
L-ast

For example if we had [tex]x^2+7x+12=0[/tex] we would factor it light this
[tex](x+3)(x+4)[/tex]

To know if you have done your work right use FOIL
First: [tex]x \times x[/tex]
Outside: [tex]4 \times x[/tex]
Inside: [tex]3 \times x[/tex]
Last: [tex]3 \times 4[/tex]To find the zeros (or answers) of x for : [tex](x+3)(x+4)[/tex] we would simply take:
[tex](x+3)=0[/tex] and solve for x and [tex](x+4)=0[/tex]
 

Related to Solving the Quadratic Equation: y = x^2-8x+7

1. What is the quadratic formula?

The quadratic formula is a mathematical formula used to solve quadratic equations of the form ax^2 + bx + c = 0, where a, b, and c are constants and x is the variable. It is written as x = (-b ± √(b^2 - 4ac)) / 2a.

2. How do I solve a quadratic equation using the quadratic formula?

To solve a quadratic equation using the quadratic formula, first identify the values of a, b, and c in the equation ax^2 + bx + c = 0. Then, substitute these values into the formula x = (-b ± √(b^2 - 4ac)) / 2a and simplify to find the solutions for x.

3. What does the discriminant tell us about the solutions of a quadratic equation?

The discriminant (b^2 - 4ac) is a part of the quadratic formula and it tells us about the nature of the solutions of a quadratic equation. If the discriminant is positive, the equation will have two distinct real solutions. If the discriminant is zero, the equation will have one real solution. And if the discriminant is negative, the equation will have two complex solutions.

4. Can the quadratic formula be used to solve all types of quadratic equations?

Yes, the quadratic formula can be used to solve all types of quadratic equations, including those with irrational or complex solutions. However, it may not always be the most efficient method to solve a quadratic equation, and other techniques such as factoring may be more useful in some cases.

5. How is the quadratic formula derived?

The quadratic formula is derived using the process of completing the square, which involves manipulating a quadratic equation to create a perfect square trinomial. This perfect square trinomial can then be easily solved to find the solutions of the original quadratic equation, resulting in the quadratic formula.

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