Solving Quadratic Equations: Vocabulary

Completing the Square Method

divide b by 2 and square it to find c, and then find the root

Factoring Method

find two numbers that multiply to get ac and add/subtract to get b, and then factor by grouping

Graphing Method

graph the equation and the solution is the x-intercept, where the parabola meets or crosses the x-axis

Quadratic Formula Method

plug in a, b, and c into the quadratic formula and solve

Discriminant

the part of the quadratic equation which is located inside of the square root= b² - 4ac

If the discriminant is negative,

there are complex solutions

If the discriminant is positive,

there are two solutions

If the discriminant is 0,

there is one solution.

Square Root quadratic

when both sides of the quadratic equation are perfect squares, square root both sides and solve for x