Let us consider the quadratic equation: ax˛ + bx + c = 0.
We assign values to the coefficients a, b and c by throwing a die.
What is the probability that the equation will have real roots ?
(In reply to
Vocabulary mistake by Gamer)
You are right, of course; the quantity b²-4ac is called the discriminant of the quadratic equation.
A determinant is a value assigned to square matrices of numbers, useful in determining whether a system of equations has a nontrivial solution, as well as other applications.
It has been some time since I have had to use either of these terms by name, which led to their confusion.
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Posted by DJ
on 2003-08-20 19:02:38 |
re: Vocabulary mistake
