Mathematics - Algebra - Quadratics - Quadratic formula - The Quadratic Formula

7 steps: (1) For ax²+bx+c=0, the solutions are x = (-b ± √(b²-4ac)) / 2a. (2) Example: 2x²-5x+1=0. Identify: a=2, b=-5, c=1. (3) Substitute: x = (5 ± √(25-8)) / 4 = (5 ± √17) / 4. (4) Two solutions: x = (5+√17)/4 ≈ 2.28 and x = (5-√17)/4 ≈ 0.22. (5) The DISCRIMINANT: b²-4ac tells us how many solutio