The "Don't Panic" Cheat Sheet

Essential tips for surviving Quadratic Equations.

The Golden Rule: The entire expression \(-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}\) must be over \(2a\). Don't let your fraction bar slip!

3 Common Traps to Avoid

1. Squaring Negatives

In the formula, we use \(b^2\). If \(b = -5\), then \(b^2\) is \((-5)^2\), which is +25.

❌ Incorrect: \(-5^2 = -25\)

✅ Correct: \((-5)^2 = 25\)

2. The Double Negative Trap

If \(c\) is a negative number, the \(-4ac\) part becomes a plus.

Example: \(x^2 + 2x - 8 = 0\)
\(-4(1)(-8) = +32\)
So you get: \(\sqrt{4 + 32}\)

3. The Calculator "Math Error"

If your calculator says "Math Error," check your Discriminant (\(b^2 - 4ac\)). If this value is negative, there are no real solutions! You cannot square root a negative number in real math.

Checklist Before You Start: