completing the square | the process of changing a polynomial of the form into a perfect square trinomial , or |
discriminant | the expression b2 – 4ac under the radical in the quadratic formula; the expression can be used to determine the number of real roots the quadratic equation has |
quadratic formula | the formula ; it is used to solve a quadratic equation of the form |
roots of a quadratic equation | the x-intercepts of the parabola or the solution of the equation |
x-intercept | the point where a line meets or crosses the x-axis |