A graph of the equation shows the appropriate choice to be
C. 2
_____
If you would rather, you can look at the value of the discriminant. For the equation y = ax²+bx+c, the discriminant (d) is
d = b²-4ac
For your equation, this evaluates to
d = (-8)²-4(2)(5) = 64 -40 = 24
When the discriminant is positive, the function has two real roots (2 x-intercepts). When it is zero, there is only one x-intercept, and when it is negative, there are none (the roots are complex).
C. 2
_____
If you would rather, you can look at the value of the discriminant. For the equation y = ax²+bx+c, the discriminant (d) is
d = b²-4ac
For your equation, this evaluates to
d = (-8)²-4(2)(5) = 64 -40 = 24
When the discriminant is positive, the function has two real roots (2 x-intercepts). When it is zero, there is only one x-intercept, and when it is negative, there are none (the roots are complex).
