Symbolab Calculator

Symbolab Quadratic Equation Solver

Solve quadratic equations of the form ax² + bx + c = 0 instantly.

Step-by-Step Solution:

function calculateQuadratic() { var a = parseFloat(document.getElementById('coeffA').value); var b = parseFloat(document.getElementById('coeffB').value); var c = parseFloat(document.getElementById('coeffC').value); var resultDiv = document.getElementById('solutionResult'); var stepsDiv = document.getElementById('calcSteps'); if (isNaN(a) || isNaN(b) || isNaN(c)) { alert("Please enter valid numbers for coefficients a, b, and c."); return; } if (a === 0) { alert("Coefficient 'a' cannot be zero for a quadratic equation."); return; } resultDiv.style.display = "block"; var discriminant = (b * b) – (4 * a * c); var steps = "1. Identify coefficients: a = " + a + ", b = " + b + ", c = " + c + ""; steps += "2. Calculate Discriminant (D): D = b² – 4ac"; steps += "D = (" + b + ")² – 4(" + a + ")(" + c + ") = " + discriminant + ""; if (discriminant > 0) { var x1 = (-b + Math.sqrt(discriminant)) / (2 * a); var x2 = (-b – Math.sqrt(discriminant)) / (2 * a); steps += "3. Real Roots found: Since D > 0, there are two distinct real roots."; steps += "x = (-b ± √D) / 2a"; steps += "x₁ = (" + (-b) + " + " + Math.sqrt(discriminant).toFixed(4) + ") / " + (2 * a) + " = " + x1.toFixed(4) + ""; steps += "x₂ = (" + (-b) + " – " + Math.sqrt(discriminant).toFixed(4) + ") / " + (2 * a) + " = " + x2.toFixed(4) + ""; } else if (discriminant === 0) { var x = -b / (2 * a); steps += "3. One Real Root found: Since D = 0, there is one repeated real root."; steps += "x = -b / 2a = " + (-b) + " / " + (2 * a) + " = " + x.toFixed(4) + ""; } else { var realPart = (-b / (2 * a)).toFixed(4); var imagPart = (Math.sqrt(-discriminant) / (2 * a)).toFixed(4); steps += "3. Complex Roots found: Since D < 0, roots are imaginary."; steps += "x = " + realPart + " ± " + imagPart + "i"; } stepsDiv.innerHTML = steps; }

Understanding the Symbolab Quadratic Solver

The quadratic equation is a fundamental pillar of algebra, appearing in everything from physics trajectories to financial modeling. A quadratic equation is any equation that can be rearranged in standard form as ax² + bx + c = 0, where x represents an unknown, and a, b, and c represent known numbers.

The Quadratic Formula

This calculator utilizes the quadratic formula to find the roots of the equation:

x = [-b ± sqrt(b² – 4ac)] / 2a

How to Use This Calculator

  • Input A: The coefficient of the x² term. This cannot be zero.
  • Input B: The coefficient of the x term.
  • Input C: The constant term.
  • Click Solve Equation to see the discriminant and the final roots.

Example Calculation

Suppose you have the equation: x² – 5x + 6 = 0

  1. Identify values: a = 1, b = -5, c = 6.
  2. Calculate the discriminant: (-5)² – 4(1)(6) = 25 – 24 = 1.
  3. Apply formula: x = (5 ± √1) / 2.
  4. Results: x₁ = 3, x₂ = 2.

Why the Discriminant Matters

The value b² – 4ac (the discriminant) tells us the nature of the roots:

  • D > 0: Two distinct real roots (The parabola crosses the x-axis twice).
  • D = 0: One real root (The parabola touches the x-axis once).
  • D < 0: Two complex/imaginary roots (The parabola never crosses the x-axis).

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