Name: __________________________Date: __________

Grade: _____________________ Section: ___________

Activity 3
The Nature of Roots of a Quadratic Equation
Learning Competency: Characterizes the roots of a
quadratic equation using the discriminant.
(M9AL-Ic-1)

What I Need to Do
This activity is about quadratic equations. In this activity you will be able to
apply the skills you have learned in solving quadratic equations using quadratic
formula.

This activity is designed for you to:

1. evaluate the expression b2 – 4ac given the values of a, b and c, and;
2. determine the nature of the roots of a quadratic equation using the
discriminant.

Try this out!

Activity 1: Which Are Real? Which Are Not?

Refer to the numbers below to answer the questions that follow.

√49 5 12.5 8 225

8 12

√−20 √24 √−16 √32

16 9

Questions:
1. Which of the numbers are real? Which are not real?
2. Which of the numbers are rational? irrational?
3. Which of the numbers are perfect squares? not perfect squares?
4. How do you describe numbers that are rational, irrational and perfect
squares?

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Activity 2: Math in A, B, C.

Write the following quadratic equations in standard form, ax2 + bx + c = 0, then

identify the values of a, b and c.

Quadratic Equation Standard Form a b c

1. 6x2 + 11x = 35

2. 9x2 = 49x

3. 1 = 4x2

4. -3x2 + 4x - 2 = 0

5. (x + 2) (x – 5) = 0

Activity 3: Complete Me.

Solve each quadratic equation using the Quadratic formula. Then, complete the
solution by supplying what is missing inside the parentheses.

1. x2 – 4x + 4 = 0 −(−4) ± √( )2 − 4( 1)( ) 4 ± √16−( ) 4+( ) x1 =( )

x= x= x=
2( ) 2 2
a= x2 =( )
b= 4−( )
x=
c= 2

2. x2 + 7x + 10 = 0 −( ) ± √(7 )2 − 4( )( ) −( ) ± √(49−( ) −7+( ) x1 =( )

x= x= x=
2(1 ) 2 2
a= x2 =( )
b= −7−( )
x=
c= 2

Gearing Up

A. Discriminant of a Quadratic Equation

−𝑏 ± √𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐
We use the formula x = for the roots of the quadratic equation
2𝑎
of the form ax2 + bx + c = 0 where a ≠ 0. The expression under the radical sign of the
quadratic formula plays an important role in the calculation of the roots.

The value of the expression b²-4ac is called the discriminant of the quadratic
equation ax² + bx + c=0. This value can be used to describe the nature of the roots
of a quadratic equation. It can be zero, positive and perfect square, positive but not
perfect square, or negative.

Remember

To solve for the discriminant, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Write the quadratic equation into standard form.

Step 2: Identify the values of a, b and c.
Step 3: Substitute the values of a, b and c to b²-4ac.

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 Example: Find the discriminant of x2 - 4x = -4.

Solution:
x2 – 4x = -4
x2 – 4x + 4 = 0 Write the quadratic equation into standard form.
a=1 b = -4 c=4 Identify the values of a, b and c.

b2 – 4ac = (-4)2 – 4(1)(4) Substitute these values to b²-4ac.

= 16 – 16
=0

B. The Nature of the Roots of a Quadratic Equation

To describe the nature of roots of the quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0, we

use the value of the discriminant b2 – 4ac.
1. When b2 – 4ac = 0, then the roots are real numbers and are equal
2. When b2 – 4ac > 0 and a perfect square, then the roots are rational numbers
but are not equal.
3. When b2 – 4ac > 0 but NOT a perfect square, then the roots are irrational
numbers and are not equal.
4. When b2 – 4ac < 0, then the equation has no real roots

Examples: For each quadratic equation, find the discriminant and describe
the nature of its roots.

1. 25x2 – 10x + 1 = 0

b2 – 4ac = (-10)2 – 4(25)(1)

= 100 – 100
=0 Since the value of b2 – 4ac is zero, then the roots of the
quadratic equation are real numbers and are equal.

2. 7x2 - 9x +2 = 0

b2 – 4ac = (-9)2 – 4(7)(2)

= 81 – 56
= 25 Since the value of b2 – 4ac is greater than zero and a
perfect square, then the roots are rational numbers
but are not equal.

3. 6x2 - 12x + 4 = 0

b2 – 4ac = (-12)2 – 4(6)(4)

= 144 – 96
= 48 Since the value of b2 – 4ac is greater than zero but not a
perfect square, then the roots are irrational numbers
and are not equal.

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 4. 2x2 + 8x + 9 = 0

b2 – 4ac = (8)2 – 4(2)(9)

= 64 – 72
= -8 Since the value of b2 – 4ac is less than zero, then the
quadratic equation has no real roots.

Getting Better
Activity No. 4: Have No Fear?

A phobia is an irrational fear of something that’s unlikely to cause harm.

The word itself comes from the Greek word phobos, which means fear or
horror. Don’t worry, Algebra is nothing to fear. To find out what each phobia
means, find the discriminant b2 – 4ac in each quadratic equation. Draw a line
to match the discriminant.

Phobia Quadratic Equation Answer

ZOOPHOBIA x2 - 16x = -64 • • 16 (Fear of lightning)

HEMOPHOBIA 9x2 = 9x + 2 • • 132 (Fear of water)
AUTOPHOBIA x2 – 3 = x • • 24 (Fear of flowers)
AEROPHOBIA 3x2 + 4x + 2 = 0 • • 0 (Fear of animals)
ASTRAPHOBIA x2 - 4 = 0 • • 57 (Fear of fire)

PHOTOPHOBIA x2 + 5x + 6 = 0 • • 121 (Fear of heights)

ANTHOPHOBIA -4x + 2x2 = 1 • • 153 (Fear of blood)

HYDROPHOBIA 2x – 8 = -4x2 • • -8 (Fear of flying)

PYROPHOBIA x2 + 9x + 6 = 0 • • 1 (Fear of light)

ACROPHOBIA 3x2 + 5x – 8 = 0 • • 13 (Fear of being alone)

Activity 5: What Is My Nature?

Determine the nature of the roots of the following quadratic equations using the
discriminant.

Quadratic Equation Discriminant Nature of the Roots

1. 4x2 - 3x + 2 = 0

2. 5x2 + 2x -3 = 0

3. 9x2 -6x + 1 = 0

4. 3x2 + 7x + 8 = 0

5. 8x2 + 5x = 0

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 Gaining Mastery

Activity 6: Who is the Father of Algebra?

Use the discriminant to determine the nature of the roots of each quadratic
equation. Encircle the letter of your corresponding answer for the nature of the roots.
Write the letters in the box below corresponding to the item number.

Nature of the Roots

real rational irrational has no

Quadratic numbers numbers numbers real
Discriminant
Equation and are but are and are roots
equal not not equal
equal
1. x2 – 6x + 9 = 0 D R A W

2. x2 – 4x + 3 = 0 B A S E

3. x2 – 7x – 4 = 0 A X I S

4. 2x2 + 3x + 5 = 0 S I G N

5. x2 – 4x = -2 B U S Y

6. x2 + 4x – 21 = 0 S T O P

7. x2 – 3 = 3x R A T E

8. x2 – 5x + 12 = 0 W A Y S

9. 2x2 – 9x + 7 = 0 S H O W

10. 9x2 + 12x = -4 O V E R

1 3 10 6 9 2 4 7 5 8

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 Rubrics for Scoring

5 points 4 points 3 points 1 point

The student The student’s work The student The student

showed all the is partly correct. attempted to attempted to
required work to There may be a answer the answer the
arrive at a correct computational problem and did problem and did
solution. error or a problem not finish it. The not finish it. The
with the format of student used the student failed to
the answer. correct method, use the correct
however did not method.
complete the
solution.

The work is neat, The work is neat, The work is neat The work
clear and clear and and organized but presented is
organized which organized which is hard to unorganized and
is easy to follow. easy to follow. understand. hard to know what
information goes
together.

What I Need to Remember

The value of the expression b²-4ac is called discriminant of the quadratic

equation ax² + bx + c=0. This value can be used to describe the nature of the
roots of a quadratic equation. It can be zero, positive and perfect square,
positive but not perfect square, or negative.

To determine the discriminant, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Write the equation into standard form.

Step 2: Identify the value of a, b and c.
Step 3: Substitute these values to b²-4ac.

To describe the nature of roots of the quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0,

we use the value of the discriminant b2 – 4ac.

1. When b2 – 4ac = 0, then the roots are real numbers and are equal
2. When b2 – 4ac > 0 and a perfect square, then the roots are rational
numbers but are not equal.
3. When b2 – 4ac > 0 but NOT a perfect square, then the roots are
irrational numbers and are not equal.
4. When b2 – 4ac < 0, then the equation has no real roots

Writer: ANA MILAFOR B. PIAPE

School: F. BUSTAMANTE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Division: DAVAO CITY
Evaluator: ROMAN JOHN C. LARA
School: DAVAO CITY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Division: DVAO CITY

Page 6
 Answer Key

Activity 1: Which Are Real? Which Are Not?

𝟓 𝟖 √𝟐𝟒
1. Real numbers: √𝟒𝟗, , 12.5, , 225, , √𝟑𝟐
𝟖 𝟏𝟐 𝟏𝟔
√−𝟏𝟔
Not real numbers: √−𝟐𝟎,
𝟗
𝟓 𝟖
2. Rational numbers: √𝟒𝟗, , 12.5, , 225
𝟖 𝟏𝟐
√𝟐𝟒
Irrational numbers: , √𝟑𝟐
𝟏𝟔
3. Perfect square number: 225
𝟓 𝟖 √𝟐𝟒
4. Not perfect square numbers: √𝟒𝟗, , , , √𝟑𝟐
𝟖 𝟏𝟐 𝟏𝟔
5. A rational number is any number which can be represented as a quotient
of two integers p/q where q is not equal to zero.
An irrational number are all the real numbers which are not rational
numbers and cannot be expressed as the ratio of two integers.
Perfect square number is a number that can be expressed as a square of
a rational number.

Activity 2: Math in A, B, C?

Write the following quadratic equations in standard form, ax2 + bx + c = 0, then

identify the values of a, b and c.

Quadratic Equation Standard Form a b c

1. 6x2 + 11x = 35 6x2 + 11x – 35 = 0 6 11 -35

2. 9x2 = 49x 9x2 - 49x = 0 9 -49 0

3. 1 = 4x2 4x2 – 1 = 0 4 0 -1

4. -3x2 + 4x - 2 = 0 3x2 - 4x + 2 = 0 3 -4 2

5. (x + 2) (x – 5) = 0 x2 - 3x – 10 = 0 1 -3 -10

Activity 3: Complete Me

1. x2 – 4x + 4 = 0 −(−4) ± √(−𝟒 )2 − 4( 1)( 𝟒) 4 ± √16−( 𝟏𝟔 ) x=

4+( 𝟎 ) x1 = 2
x= x= 2
2( 𝟏) 2
a= 1 x2 = 2
4−( 𝟎 )
b= -4 x= 2
c= 4

2. x2 + 7x + 10 = 0 −(𝟕 ) ± √(7 )2 − 4(𝟏 )(𝟏𝟎 ) −(𝟕 ) ± √(49−( 𝟒𝟎 )

x=
−7+(𝟑 ) x1 =-2
x= x= 2
2(1 ) 2
a= 1 x2 =-5
−7−( 𝟑)
b= 7 x= 2
c= 10

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Activity 4: Have No Fear?

A phobia is an irrational fear of something that’s unlikely to cause harm. The word
itself comes from the Greek word phobos, which means fear or horror. Don’t worry,
Algebra is nothing to fear. To find out what each phobia means, find the
discriminant b2 – 4ac in each quadratic equation. Draw a line to match the
discriminant.
Phobia Quadratic Answer
Equation

ZOOPHOBIA x2 - 16x = -64 • 16 (Fear of lightning)

HEMOPHOBIA 9x2 = 9x + 2 • 132 (Fear of water)
AUTOPHOBIA x2 – 3 = x • 24 (Fear of flowers)
AEROPHOBIA 3x2 + 4x + 2 = 0 • 0 (Fear of animals)
ASTRAPHOBIA x2 - 4 = 0 • 57 (Fear of fire)

PHOTOPHOBIA x2 + 5x + 6= 0 • 121 (Fear of heights)

ANTHOPHOBIA -4x + 2x2 = 1 • 153 (Fear of blood)

HYDROPHOBIA 2x – 8 = -4x2 • -8 (Fear of flying)

PYROPHOBIA x2 + 9x + 6 = 0 • 1 (Fear of light)

ACROPHOBIA 3x2 + 5x - 8 = 0 • 13 (Fear of being alone)

Activity 5: What Is My Nature?

Determine the nature of the roots of the following quadratic equations using the
discriminant.

Quadratic Equation Discriminant Nature of the Roots

1. 4x2 - 3x - 2 = 0 41 irrational numbers and are
not equal
2. 5x2 + 2x -3 = 0 64 rational numbers but are
not equal

3. 9x2 -6x + 1 = 0 0 real numbers and are equal

4. 3x2 + 7x + 8 = 0 -47 has no real roots

5. 8x2 + 5x = 0 25 rational numbers but are

not equal

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Activity 6: Who is the Father of Algebra?

Use the discriminant to determine the nature of the roots of each quadratic
equations. Encircle the letter of your corresponding answer for the nature of the
roots. Write the letters in the box below corresponding to the item number.

Nature of the Roots

real rational irrational has no

Quadratic numbers numbers numbers real
Discriminant
Equation and are but are and are roots
equal not not equal
equal
1. x2 – 6x + 9 = 0 0 D
R A W
2. x2 – 4x + 3 = 0 4 B A S E
3. x2 – 7x – 4 = 0 65 I
A X S
4. 2x2 + 3x + 5 = 0 -31 N
S I G
5. x2 – 4x = -2 4 U
B S Y
6. x2 + 4x – 21 = 0 -68 P
S T O
7. x2 – 3 = 3x 21
R A T E
8. x2 – 5x + 12 = 0 -23 W A Y S

9. x2 – 9x + 7 = 0 25 H
S O W
10. 9x2 + 12x = -4 0 O V E R

D I O P H A N T U S

1 3 10 6 9 2 4 7 5 8

Writer: ANA MILAFOR B. PIAPE

School: F. BUSTAMANTE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Division: DAVAO CITY
Evaluator: ROMAN JOHN C. LARA
School: DAVAO CITY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Division: DVAO CITY

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