Discriminant

What is the discriminant of -x² + 2x + 12 = 0 ?

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In the quadratic formula, the discriminant is b² - 4ac, the part under the square root sign.

a is the coefficient of x²
b is the coefficient of x
c is the constant term

In -x² + 2x + 12,
a = -1, b = 2, and c = 12

b² - 4ac  {the discriminant}
= 2² - 4(-1)(12) {substituted into the discriminant}
=  4 + 48  {multiplied}
=  52  {added}

the discriminant is 52

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