Discussion
The discriminate is b^2 - 4*a*c
The general equation for a quadratic is ax^2 + bx + c
In this equation's case 
a = 1
b= -5
c = - 3
Solve
(-5)^2 - 4*(1)*(-3)
25 - (-12)
25 + 12
37
Note
Since the discriminate is > 0, the roots are real and different. The roots do exist and there are 2 of them.
 
        
             
        
        
        
To find the answer, we can first find the distance each of them have, then divide it by their speed to find the time needed.
Distance Steve need to travel: 300 feet
Distance Paula need to travel: 
300+175(behind steve) = 475 feet
Time needed respectively:
Steve: 300 ÷ 9 = 33.33.. seconds
Paula: 475 ÷ 15 = 31.66... seconds
As we can see from the result, Paula would take less time to reach the goal (31.66<33.33),
therefore, Paula win the bike race by:
33.33-31.67
=1.66...
≈1.67 feet
Thus Paula won by 1.67 feet.
Hope it helps!
        
             
        
        
        
D. Similar SSS similarity triangle TLM
        
                    
             
        
        
        
I think the question 23 is e.