Quadratic Formula Calculator

Solve ax² + bx + c = 0 for real or complex roots, with the discriminant, vertex, factored form and a parabola.

ax² + bx + c = 0; a must be nonzero.

Roots

2 and 3

  • Discriminant b² − 4ac1
  • Vertex(2.5, -0.25)
  • Axis of symmetryx = 2.5
  • Factored form1(x − (2))(x − (3))
-1012340.51.051.62.152.73.253.84.354.5
  • y = ax² + bx + c

 

How this was calculated

x = (−b ± √(b² − 4ac)) ÷ (2a).

A positive discriminant gives two real roots; zero gives one repeated root; negative gives a complex conjugate pair.

Formula and method

For a ≠ 0, roots are (−b ± √(b²−4ac))/(2a). The discriminant determines whether there are two real roots, one repeated real root or two complex conjugate roots. The vertex is at x = −b/(2a), y = ax² + bx + c.

Worked example

x² − 5x + 6 = 0 has discriminant 25 − 24 = 1 and roots 2 and 3. Its vertex is (2.5, −0.25), its axis is x = 2.5, and its factorization is (x−2)(x−3).

Inputs and limitations

Enter signed coefficients, not an entire equation. If a = 0 the equation is linear and should be solved separately. The graph is sampled near the vertex; it is not an exact symbolic curve. Coefficients are scaled internally to reduce overflow and real roots use a cancellation-resistant formula.

Last updated . Results are estimates for informational purposes only.