Explore the Quadratic Equation
A Quadratic Equation
a, b, and c can have any value, except that a can't be 0.
Try changing a, b and c below to see how they change the curve. Notice the "roots" (the solutions to the equation, shown as dots on the graph).
Read more about the Quadratic Equation.
Explore
Move the a, b and c slider bars to explore the properties of the quadratic graph.
Look at
- The effect of changes in a
- The effect of changes in b
- The effect of changes in c
- The effect of negative values of a
- The effect of positive values of a
- What happens when a=0 ?
- See if you can get the curve to just touch the x-axis (y=0)
- Can you get the "roots" −1.0 and 1.0 ?
Roots
The "roots" are the solutions to the equation.
When the curve crosses the x-axis (y=0) you will have:
- two solutions
- or ONE solution (if it just touches)
When the curve does not cross the line there are still solutions, but:
- the two solutions include Imaginary Numbers