Question

For real roots of a quadratic equation, the discriminant must be:

Options

• greater than or equal to zero

• greater than zero

• less than or equal to zero

• less than zero

Answer 1

Greater than or equal to zero

Explanation:

For ax² + bx + c = 0 the discriminant D = b² – 4ac. 

Real roots occur when D ≥ 0: D > 0 gives two distinct real roots and D = 0 gives one real (repeated) root; if D < 0 the roots are non‑real (complex).