STRATEGIC

INTERVENTION
MATERIAL IN
MATHEMATICS-IX

THE NATURE OF THE

ROOTS AND THE Prepared by:

DISCRIMINANT MARICEL T. MAS

T-1/LIPAY HIGH
SCHOOL
 Guide Card
Hi! I’m Mat-
mat, the fairy of
Math. I will be
your guide to
finish your task.

Least Mastered Skill:

Identify the nature of the roots of a quadratic
equation

Sub tasks:
Rewrite quadratic equations to its standard form
Identify the values of a, b and c of a quadratic
equation
Determine the discriminant; and
Describe the nature of the roots of a quadratic
equation
Overview Hi! Do you
still
remember
these?!
The quadratic formula allows you to solve ANY
quadratic equation, even if you cannot factor it.
An important piece of the quadratic formula is
what’s under the radical: b 2 – 4ac, this piece is called
discriminant.
The discriminant tells you the number and types
of answers (roots) you will get. The discriminant can be
+, -, or 0 which actually tells you a lot! Since the
discriminant is under a radical ( 𝒃 𝟐 − 𝟒𝒂𝒄), think about
what it means if you have a positive or negative number or
0 under the radical.
To use this expression, it is necessary for you to
determine the values of a, b, and c in a quadratic equation.
However, you should need to write first the quadratic
equation in standard form (ax 2 +bx+c = 0) before you
identify these values of a, b, and c.
Activity Card No. 1
Set me to your standards
Directions: Rewrite the following quadratic
equations in standard form, ax 2 +bx+c = 0.

Quadratic Equations Standard Forms

1. x2 – 5x = 14
2. x2 + x = 5
3. x2 + 25 = 10x
4. 4x2 = 9x - 7
5. 3x2 + 2x = 5
Activity Card No.2
MATH in a, b and c? By this time,
your going to
Directions: Using the given quadratic identify what is
equations on activity no 1.Identify the ask.
I know you can
values of a, b, and c. do it!

Quadratic Equations Values of a, b and c

1. x2 – 5x = 14 a = ___ b = ___ c = ___
2
2. x + x = 5 a = ___ b = ___ c = ___
3. x2 + 25 = 10x a = ___ b = ___ c = ___
4. 4x2 = 9x - 7 a = ___ b = ___ c = ___
5. 3x2 + 2x = 5 a = ___ b = ___ c = ___
 Activity Card No. 3 How did you find
the preceding
activities? Are
What is a discriminant? you ready to
learn more
about the nature
of the roots of
 A discriminant is a value calculated from a quadratic
quadratic equation. It use it to 'discriminate' equations?

between the roots (or solutions) of a quadratic

equation.

 The discriminant, D = b 2 - 4ac

 To use this expression, it is necessary for you to

determine the values of a, b, and c in a quadratic
equation. However, you should need to write first
the quadratic equation in standard form
(ax 2 +bx+c = 0) before you identify these values
of a, b, and c.
 To determine the discriminant, you may You were able to
follow the different steps. rewrite the given
quadratic in
standard form
Step 1: Write first equation into standard form. and find the value
of a,b and c. This
Step 2: Identify the value of a, b and c. time I will show
Step 3: Substitute these values to b 2 – 4ac. to you how to find
the discriminant.
Check my
Example 1: Find the discriminant of example.
x 2 – 2x = 15.

Solutions:
x 2 – 2x = 15
x 2 – 2x – 15 = 0
a=1 b= -2 c= -15
D =b 2 – 4ac
D= (-2) 2 – 4(1)(-15) This value can be used to describe the
nature of the roots of a quadratic
D= 4 + 60 equation. It can be zero, positive and
D=64 perfect square, positive but not perfect
D=64
square or negative. (See next page for
the summary of the nature of the roots.)
SUMMARY: NATURE OF THE ROOTS OF
QUADRATIC EQUATION

Equations Discriminant Description Nature of the

Roots
1. x2 – 5x – 14 = 0 81 D>0 and Real, rational,
perfect Square unequal
2. ) 2x2 + x – 5 = 0 42 D< 0, and not Realm irrational,
perfect square unequal
3.) x2 – 10x + 25 = 0 0 D=0 Real, rational,
equal
4.) 4x2 – 9x + 7 = 0 -31 D≠0 (negative) Imaginary or not
real
Try these!
Now it’s your
What’s My Value? turn!
I know you do
Directions: Using the values of a, b and c of it! Don’t give up,
Activity 1. Find the discriminant of the ok!?
following equations. Encircle the letter of
the correct answer .

Quadratic Equations Possible discriminant

2
1. x – 5x = 14 a. 81 b. 11 c. -31
2
2. x + x = 5 a. 39 b. - 39 c. 41
2
3. x + 25 = 10x a. 0 b. 1 c. 100
2
4. 4x = 9x - 7 a. - 31 b. 31 c. 81
2
5. 3x + 2x = 5 a. -56 b. -64 c. 64
Activity Card No.4 Now, you were able
to determine the
nature of roots of
Directions: Determine whether the given quadratic equations,
whether they are
discriminant is; real numbers, not
a) real, rational, equal real numbers,
rational or irrational
b) real, rational, unequal numbers.
.
c) real, irrational, unequal
d) imaginary
Write the letter of your answer before the
number.
1) 12
2) 0
3) 49
4) -5 Remember:
5) 27 Mistakes are proof
that you are trying.
Assessment Card :
D I R E C T IO N S : C h o o s e t h e l et te r o f t h e c o r r e c t a n s w e r. Wr i te yo ur
a n s w e r b e f o r e t h e n u m b e r.
1 . W h i c h o f t h e f o l l owi n g i s t h e s t a n d a r d f o r m o f This is it! Your final
quadratic equations? task! Good luck! 
A. ax2 + bx + c <0, a ≠ 0 C. ax2 + bx + c =0
B. f(x) = ax2 + bx + c D. y=mx+b
2 . W h i c h o f t h e f o l l ow in g i s a q u a d r a t ic e q u a t i o n i n
standard form?
A. 3m 2 – 7 =12 C. 2x 2 -7x ≥ 3
B . - 5 m 2+ 4 n - 1 D. t2 + 5t -14 = 0
3. What are the value of a , b and c in the equation
3s2 - 5s =1?
A. 3, 5, 1 C. 3, -5, -1
B. 3, -5, 1 D. 3, 5, -1
4. This value can describe the nature of the roots of a
quadratic equation
A. sum C . p r o d uct
B . d i s c r im in a n t D . q u a d r a t i c f o r m ul a
5. What is the nature of the roots of the quadratic
e q u a t i o n i f t h e v a l u e o f d i s c r i mi n a n t i s n e g a t i v e ?
A. not real C. rational and equal
B. irrational and not equal D. rational and equal
.
6. What is the nature of the roots of a quadratic
e q u a t i o n w h e n i t s d i s c r im in a n t i s z e r o ?
A. real, rational, equal C. real, rational, unequal
B. real, irrational, unequal D. not real This is it! Your final
7. W h a t i s t h e v a l u e o f t h e d i s c r i mi n a n t o f a task! I know you can
quadratic equation 2x2 + 8x-10 = 0? make it. Don’t give
A . -144 C . 24 up. 

B . - 24 D. 144
8 . W h a t i s t h e v a l u e o f t h e d i s c r i mi n a n t o f a
quadratic equation x2 + 4x – 5=0?
A. -36 C. 4
B. -4 D.36
9 . W h i c h o f t h e f o l l ow in g q u a d r a t i c e q u a t i o n s h a s n o
real roots?
A. 6m2 + 4m=3 C. 2s2 – 4s= -4
B. t2 – 5t – 9=0 D. 4r2 + 2r – 5 = 0
1 0 . W h i c h o f t h e f o l l ow i ng h a s r e a l a n d e q u a l r o o t s ?
A . x2 – 10x + 25 = 0 C. 2s2 – 4s= -4
B. t2 – 5t – 9=0 D. 4r2 + 2r – 5 = 0
Enrichment Card Now that you
have learned
about the
Let’s Make a Table! discriminant and
how it
D i r e c t i o n s : S t u d y t h e s i t ua t i o n b e l ow a n d a n s w e r t h e determines the
q u e s t i o n s t h a t f o l l ow . nature of the
roots of a
quadratic
Ma n g J os e w a n ts to m a ke a t a b l e w h i c h h a s a n a r e a of 6
m 2 . T h e l e n gt h o f t h e t a b l e h a s to b e 1 m l on ge r t h a n t h e equation, you are
width. ready to perform
the succeeding
activities.
a . I f t h e w i d t h o f t h e t a b l e i s p m ete r s , w h a t w i l l b e i t s
l e n g t h?
b . Fo r m a q u a d r a t i c e q u a t i o n t h a t r e p r e s e n t s t h e s i t ua t io n .
c . W i t h o ut a c t u al l y c o m p ut i n g f o r t h e r o o t s , d ete r m i n e
w h et h e r t h e d i m e n s i o n s o f t h e t a b l e a r e r a t i o n a l n u m b e r s .
Explain.
d. Give the dimensions of the table.
A n s we r
1. length = p+1
2. p(p+1) = 6 or p2 + p – 6 =0
3 . Ye s . A p o s i t i ve d i s c r i mi n a n t i m p li e s t w o
distinct roots
4. 3m by 2m
Now it’s your turn..
You and a friend are camping. You want to hang your food pack from a branch 20 ft. from the
ground. You will attach a rope to a stick and throw it over the branch. Your friend can throw the stick
upward with an initial velocity of 29 feet per second. The distance of the stick after t seconds from
an initial height of 6 feet is given by the expression -16t2 + 29t + 6

a . Fo r m a n d d e s c r i b e t h e e q u a t i o n r e p r e s e n t i n g t h e s i t ua t i o n . H o w d i d yo u c o m e u p
with the equation?

b . W i t h t h e g i v e n c o n d i t i o n s , w i l l t h e s t i c k r e a c h t h e b r a n c h w h e n t h r o w n ? J u s t i f y yo u r
a n s w e r.

Never give up.

Keep going
 Answer Card
Activity No. 1 Activity No. 2

1. x2 – 5x – 14 =0 1. a=1 b = -5 c=-14
2. 2x2 + x – 5 = 0 2. a=2 b=1 c = -5
3. x2 -10x + 25 = 0 3. a=1 b = -10 c = 25 Here are the
4. 4x2 – 9x + 7 = 0 4. a=4 b = -9 c=7 key
5. 3x2 + 2x – 5 = 0 5. a=3 b=2 c = -5 checkpoints! I
hope you made
Activity No. 4 Assessment Card it!
Activity No. 3
1. c 1) C
1. a. 81
2. a
2. c. 41 2) D
3. b
3. a. 0 3) C
4. d
4. a. -31
5. b 4) B
5. c. 64
5) A
6) A
7) D
Enrichment Card
1. -16t2 + 29t + 6 =20 or 8) D
-16t2 + 29t -14 = 0 9) C
10) A
2. No, the discriminant is negative.
 Reference card
Jose -Dilao, Soledad, Orines , and Bernabe, Julieta G.
Advanc ed Algebr a, Trigonometr y and
S tatis tics IV, SD Publications, Inc, 2009,
p. 73

Learner’s Material M athematics – Grade 9

F ir st Edition, 2014 pp. 65 -70.