COMPLETING THE SQUARE is a method of solving a quadratic equation by adding the square of one-half of the coefficient of x to both sides of the equation.
The DISCRIMINANT of a quadratic equation in standard form is the quantity b-squared minus 4ac. Discriminant > 0 -> two real roots; discriminant = 0 -> one real root; discriminant < 0 -> no real roots.
The graph of any quadratic function is a PARABOLA. This word comes from Greek words meaning ╥alongside╙ and ╥throw╙: any thrown object will follow an approximately parabolic path.
The QUADRATIC FORMULA can be used to solve any quadratic equation which is written in standard form.
The SQUARE ROOT PROPERTY of equations states that, if b is a positive number, and a-squared equals b, then a = ├b or a = -├b.
A quadratic equation written in the form shown is in STANDARD FORM. Note that ╥a╙ must be nonzero, or else the equation would not actually be quadratic.
