The Quadratic Formula

The quadratic formula is one of the most powerful tools in algebra. It allows us to solve any quadratic equation, even when factoring is difficult or impossible.

This formula works for any equation in the standard form: ax² + bx + c = 0

Key Components

• a: The coefficient of x² (cannot be zero)
• b: The coefficient of x
• c: The constant term

Step-by-Step Process

1. Step 1: Identify the values of a, b, and c from your equation
2. Step 2: Substitute these values into the quadratic formula
3. Step 3: Simplify the expression under the square root (the discriminant)
4. Step 4: Calculate both solutions using the ± symbol