Expert: Richard J. Raridon - 12/8/2008

Question
Hello Richard,

I really appreciate the assistance and feedback that you have been providing.  It has been very helpful.  I have a challenge question and I have been searching the text that we are using in class and I cannot find the solution.  I have any surf the next and I could not find a definitive solution.  I would appreciate any feedback that you may have on this challenge question.

Thanks


Can you tell when graphing works or does not work to solve quadratic equations?

Thanks,


Answer
Graphing can be helpful to show you at least approximately where the function crosses the x-axis.  If it doesn't cross at all then you know you have only imaginary solutions.  If it crosses between integral values, such as x between 2 and 3, then you might not be able to get an accurate value.