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About the Author
Welcome to MathPortal. This website's owner is mathematician Miloš Petrović. I designed this website and wrote all the calculators, lessons, and formulas.
If you want to contact me, probably have some questions, write me using the contact form or email me on [email protected]
Calculator Use
This online calculator is a quadratic equation solver that will solve a second-order polynomial equation such as ax2 + bx + c = 0 for x, where a ≠ 0, using the quadratic formula.
The calculator solution will show work using the quadratic formula to solve the entered equation for real and complex roots. Calculator determines whether the discriminant \( (b^2 - 4ac) \) is less than, greater than or equal to 0.
When \( b^2 - 4ac = 0 \) there is one real root.
When \( b^2 - 4ac > 0 \) there are two real roots.
When \( b^2 - 4ac < 0 \) there are two complex roots.
Quadratic Formula:
The quadratic formula
\( x = \dfrac{ -b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{ 2a } \)
is used to solve quadratic equations where a ≠ 0 (polynomials with an order of 2)
\( ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \)
Examples using the quadratic formula
Example 1: Find the Solution for \( x^2 + -8x + 5 = 0 \), where a = 1, b = -8 and c = 5, using the Quadratic Formula.
\( x = \dfrac{ -b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{ 2a } \)
\( x = \dfrac{ -(-8) \pm \sqrt{(-8)^2 - 4(1)(5)}}{ 2(1) } \)
\( x = \dfrac{ 8 \pm \sqrt{64 - 20}}{ 2 } \)
\( x = \dfrac{ 8 \pm \sqrt{44}}{ 2 } \)
The discriminant \( b^2 - 4ac > 0 \) so, there are two real roots.
Simplify the Radical:
\( x = \dfrac{ 8 \pm 2\sqrt{11}\, }{ 2 } \)
\( x = \dfrac{ 8 }{ 2 } \pm \dfrac{2\sqrt{11}\, }{ 2 } \)
Simplify fractions and/or signs:
\( x = 4 \pm \sqrt{11}\, \)
which becomes
\( x = 7.31662 \)
\( x = 0.683375 \)
Example 2: Find the Solution for \( 5x^2 + 20x + 32 = 0 \), where a = 5, b = 20 and c = 32, using the Quadratic Formula.
\( x = \dfrac{ -b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{ 2a } \)
\( x = \dfrac{ -20 \pm \sqrt{20^2 - 4(5)(32)}}{ 2(5) } \)
\( x = \dfrac{ -20 \pm \sqrt{400 - 640}}{ 10 } \)
\( x = \dfrac{ -20 \pm \sqrt{-240}}{ 10 } \)
The discriminant \( b^2 - 4ac < 0 \) so, there are two complex roots.
Simplify the Radical:
\( x = \dfrac{ -20 \pm 4\sqrt{15}\, i}{ 10 } \)
\( x = \dfrac{ -20 }{ 10 } \pm \dfrac{4\sqrt{15}\, i}{ 10 } \)
Simplify fractions and/or signs:
\( x = -2 \pm \dfrac{ 2\sqrt{15}\, i}{ 5 } \)
which becomes
\( x = -2 + 1.54919 \, i \)
\( x = -2 - 1.54919 \, i \)
calculator updated to include full solution for real and complex roots
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Quadratic Formula Calculator
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Example: 2x^2-5x-3=0
Step-By-Step Example
Learn step-by-step how to use the quadratic formula!
Example (Click to try)
2x2−5x−3=0
About the quadratic formula
Solve an equation of the form ax2+bx+c=0 by using the quadratic formula:
x=
−b±√b2−4ac
2a
Quadratic Formula Video Lesson
Solve with the Quadratic Formula Step-by-Step [1:29]
Need more problem types? Try MathPapa Algebra Calculator
Our quadratic equation calculator is here to find solutions (roots) and check your work—but it does not provide any shortcuts. Even though our calculator is efficient at finding an answer to your problems, it doesn't reveal any of the steps involved in solving a quadratic equation. To better learn how to solve the equations on your own—and because practice helps improve your skills—we encourage you to solve the
problems on your own first and use our calculator to make sure your answer is correct last. To use the calculator: Important Terms for Quadratic Equations In case you're new, need a refresher, or appreciate the knowledge, here are some helpful terms and descriptions to assist your calculations. A quadratic equation
(also referred to as a quadratic function) is a polynomial whose highest exponent is 2. The standard form of a quadratic equation looks like this: f (x) = ax² + bx + c When graphed on a coordinate plane, a quadratic equation creates a parabola, which is a u-shaped curve. When the leading coefficient is positive, the curve is oriented like the letter u, with the opening facing up. When the leading coefficient is negative, the curve is upside
down, with the opening facing down. The coefficient of x² is called the leading coefficient, and is represented by the variable a. In standard form, a, b, and c are all constants or numerical coefficients. One absolute rule is that the first constant, a, can never be equal to zero. The leading coefficient can tell you more than just the orientation of the parabola, it also determines how wide or skinny the
u-curve is. This depends on the value of the leading coefficient. The closer to zero the value is, the wider the curve will be. The farther away from 0 the number is, the skinnier the curve will be. The vertex of a parabola is the point at the bottom of the u curve. If you draw a vertical line through the vertex, you create the axis of symmetry, which is an imaginary line that cuts the parabola in half equally. The shape of the
curve is reflected over this line. The quadratic formula is used to find the solution to a quadratic equation. The quadratic formula looks like this: For ax2 + bx + c = 0 where a ≠ 0: x= -b + √b2-4ac / 2a Every quadratic equation gives two values of the unknown variable (x) and these values are called roots of the equation. When you are asked to solve a quadratic equation, you are really
being asked to find the roots (or solutions). The roots of a quadratic function are the x-intercepts, which are the points where the parabola crosses the x-axis. The y-coordinate of points lying on the x-axis is zero. Therefore, to find the roots of a quadratic function, we make f(x) = 0, and solve the equation. A quadratic equation has two roots which may be unequal real numbers, equal real numbers, or numbers which are not real. If a quadratic equation has two real
equal roots, we say the equation has only one real solution. This occurs when the vertex is the parabola is the point that touches the x-axis. The discriminant of a quadratic formula tells you about the nature of roots the equation has. For example: If the discriminant is a perfect square, the roots are
rational and when it is not a perfect square, the roots are irrational. Other CalculatorsHow to Use the Quadratic Equation Calculator
Important Terms for Quadratic Equations
Quadratic Equations
Coefficients
Structure of a Graph
Quadratic Formula
The Roots
Discriminant