Ratkaisukaavalla

Ratkaisukaavalla, also known as the quadratic formula, is a mathematical formula used to find the roots of a quadratic equation. A quadratic equation is a polynomial equation of degree two, which can be written in the standard form:

ax^2 + bx + c = 0

where a, b, and c are coefficients and x is the variable. The quadratic formula provides a direct method for solving such equations and is given by:

x = [-b ± √(b^2 - 4ac)] / (2a)

The term under the square root, b^2 - 4ac, is known as the discriminant. The discriminant determines the nature of the roots of the equation:

1. If the discriminant is positive, the equation has two distinct real roots.

2. If the discriminant is zero, the equation has exactly one real root (a repeated root).

3. If the discriminant is negative, the equation has two complex roots.

The quadratic formula is widely used in various fields such as physics, engineering, and economics to solve problems involving quadratic equations. It is a fundamental tool in algebra and is often taught in secondary education. The formula is derived from completing the square and is a cornerstone of algebraic techniques.