The quadratic formula is a formula used to solve quadratic equations, which are equations that can be written in the form of ax^2 + bx + c = 0, where a, b, and c are constants, and x is the variable.
The quadratic formula is given by:
x = (-b ± sqrt(b^2 – 4ac)) / 2a
In this formula, the “±” sign means that there are two solutions to the quadratic equation. One solution is obtained by using the “+” sign, and the other solution is obtained by using the “-” sign.
To use the quadratic formula, you need to identify the values of a, b, and c in the quadratic equation, and then substitute these values into the formula. Once you have calculated the values of the square root expression, you can use the “+” and “-” signs to find the two solutions to the equation.
It is important to note that the quadratic formula only works for quadratic equations, which have the form ax^2 + bx + c = 0. If an equation is not in this form, it cannot be solved using the quadratic formula. Additionally, if the value of the discriminant (b^2 – 4ac) is negative, the quadratic equation has no real solutions.
Overall, the quadratic formula is a powerful tool for solving quadratic equations and finding the roots of quadratic functions. It is widely used in mathematics, physics, engineering, and many other fields.