What is a quadratic equation and how do I use the calculator?
A quadratic equation is a polynomial equation of the form ax² + bx + c = 0, where a, b, and c are coefficients. To use the calculator, simply input the values for a, b, and c into the respective fields and click 'Solve'. The calculator will provide the roots of the equation.
What should I do if the coefficient 'a' is zero?
If the coefficient 'a' is zero, the equation is no longer quadratic and becomes linear (bx + c = 0). In this case, you should use a linear equation calculator instead. The quadratic equation solver requires 'a' to be non-zero to function correctly.
Can the quadratic equation have complex roots?
Yes, the quadratic equation can have complex roots when the discriminant (b² - 4ac) is less than zero. The calculator will automatically detect this and display the complex roots in the result if applicable.
What are the possible types of roots I can get from this calculator?
You can get three types of roots from the quadratic equation: two distinct real roots (when the discriminant is positive), one repeated real root (when the discriminant is zero), and two complex roots (when the discriminant is negative). The calculator will clearly indicate which type of roots are present.
Is there a way to check my answer after using the calculator?
Yes, you can verify your answer by substituting the roots back into the original equation. If the left side of the equation equals zero after substituting, then the roots provided by the calculator are correct. This is a useful way to confirm the validity of the results.
What if I want to solve multiple quadratic equations?
If you need to solve multiple quadratic equations, you can simply input the coefficients for each equation one at a time and click 'Solve' for each. The calculator will provide results for every set of coefficients you input.