discriminant

[ dih-skrim-uh-nuhnt ]

noun

, Mathematics.

1. a relatively simple expression that determines some of the properties, as the nature of the roots, of a given equation or function.

discriminant

/ dɪˈskrɪmɪnənt /

noun

1. an algebraic expression related to the coefficients of a polynomial equation whose value gives information about the roots of the polynomial

   b² – 4ac is the discriminant of ax² + bx + c = 0

Other Words From

• dis·crim·i·nan·tal [dis-krim-, uh, -, nan, -tl], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of discriminant¹

First recorded in 1830–40; from Latin discrīminant-, stem of discrīmināns “separating,” present participle of discrīmināre “to divide up, separate,” verb derived from discrīmen (stem discrīmin- ) “separating line, distinction,” from discrī- (variant stem of discernere; discern ) + -men, noun suffix

Example Sentences

The determines the nature or character of the roots; hence it is called the discriminant.

From Project Gutenberg