Evaluate using the discriminant (the part of the quadratic equation under the square root sign) b²-4ac In your equation, a=1, b=(-2), and c=(-8)...substitute their values into the discriminant: (-2)²-4(1)(-8) 4+32 = 36
The value is positive, therefore the equation has two real roots. It's a perfect square (√36=6) so the roots are rational Answer: two real, rational roots
(If the result was a negative number, the system would have two irrational roots. If the result was zero, the system would have a <em>double root</em>(one value repeated twice - when graphed, the vertex of the parabola falls on the x-axis)∨<em />
