Accuplacer Advanced Algebra and Functions Practice Exam

When the discriminant of a quadratic equation is equal to zero, it signifies that the equation has exactly one real solution. The discriminant, expressed as \(D = b^2 - 4ac\), is a crucial part of the quadratic formula, which is used to find the solutions of the quadratic equation in the standard form \(ax^2 + bx + c = 0\).

When the discriminant is zero, it indicates that the two solutions of the quadratic formula, given by \(x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{D}}{2a}\), converge into a single value because \(\sqrt{D}\) becomes zero. Thus, the solutions simplify to \(x = \frac{-b}{2a}\). This particular case means that the quadratic graph, which is a parabola, touches the x-axis at one point, referred to as a repeated or double root.

This situation illustrates that the quadratic equation has a single solution, confirming the choice of one solution as the correct answer.