How to use the discriminant to find out what type of solutions the equation has for #4/3x^2 - 2x + 3/4 = 0#?

1 Answer
May 26, 2015

#4/3x^2-2x+3/4 = 0# is of the form #ax^2+bx+c = 0# with #a=4/3#, #b = -2# and #c=3/4#.

The discriminant is given by the formula:

#Delta = b^2-4ac = (-2)^2 - (4xx(4/3)xx(3/4))#

#= 4 - 4 = 0#

Since #Delta = 0#, the quadratic has one repeated rational root.

The possible cases are:

#Delta < 0# The quadratic has no real roots. It has two complex roots that are conjugates of one another.

#Delta = 0# The quadratic has one repeated root. If the coefficients of the quadratic are rational then that repeated root is rational too.

#Delta > 0# The quadratic has two distinct real roots. If #Delta# is a perfect square and the coefficients of the quadratic are rational then those roots are rational too.