Solution of a cubic equation (Part 2)

In the post Solution of a cubic equation Part 1 we found the solution of a cubic equation for a particular condition. Then, in the post Whether real or complex (Cubic Equation) we studied when the roots of a cubic equation will be real and when it will be complex. This post deals with the solution of cubic equation. The algebraic method of solving cubic equations is supposed to be due to the Italian, del Ferro (1465-1526). But it is called Cardano's method because it became known to people after the Italian, Girolamo Cardano, published it in 1545 in his 'Ars Magna'.

Omar Khayyam gave a great deal of thought to the cubic equations. Before him, Greek mathematicians obtained solutions for third degree equations by considering geometric methods that involved the intersection of conics. Although the solution is present but I am searching for a solution of cubic equation with almost a new perspective. I will continue my search but I am giving this method so that until I find my kind of solution the traditional solution is present on my blog.

Let us consider the equation (ax³ + bx² + cx + d = 0 ; a≠0)

Step 1: Express ax³ + bx² + cx + d = 0
as x³ + px² + qx + r = 0

Step 2: Shift the middle point of the curve on the axis x=−p/3.
Read post Solution of a cubic equation. A special solution and Why -b/3a? for detail.
x³ + 3(p/3)x² + 3(p²/9)x + p³/27 − 3(p²/9)x − p³/27 +qx+ r = 0
(x + p/3)³ − [3(p²/9) − q]x − p³/27 + r = 0
(x + p/3)³ − [p²/3 − q]x − p³/27 + r = 0


Step 3:  Let x + p/3 = y then x = y − p/3.
Substitute y and (y − p/3) for (x + p/3) and x in the above equation.
y³ +[q − p²/3](y − p/3) + r − p³/27 = 0
y³ +[q − p²/3]y − [qp/3 − p³/9 − r + p³/27] = 0
y³ +[q − p²/3]y + [r − qp/3 + 2p³/27] = 0
y³ +[q − p²/3]y + [2p³/27 − qp/3 + r] = 0

Step 4: Now the equation is of the form y³ + Ay + B = 0
where A = q − p²/3 and B = 2p³/27 − qp/3 + r
Let y = (s − A/3s)
then s³ − A³/(3s)³ − As + A²/3s + As − A²/3s + B = 0
s³ − A³/(3s)³ + B = 0
Multiplying throughout by s³, we get
s⁶ + Bs³ − A³/27 = 0
Let, s³ = z
z² + Bz − A³/27 = 0
z = [−B ±√(B² + 4A³/27)]/2

s₁³ = [−B +√(B² + 4A³/27)]/2
As we know that any equation has three cube roots. Let its cube root be s₁. then the roots are s₁, ωs₁ and ω²s₁.
Similarly,
s₂³ = [−B −√(B² + 4A³/27)]/2
Let its cube root be s₂. then the roots are s₂, ωs₂ and ω²s₂.
1/s₁³ = −(3s₂/A)³
⇒ 1/s₁³ = 1/[−B +√(B² + 4A³/27)]/2
= {[−B − √(B² + 4A³/27)]/2}/{[−B −√(B² + 4A³/27)][−B +√(B² + 4A³/27)]/4}
= {[−B − √(B² + 4A³/27)]/2}/{−4A³/(27×4)}
= {[−B − √(B² + 4A³/27)]/2}/{A³/27)}
= −(3s₂/A)³
s₁s₂ = −A/3
If we consider s₁ then −A/3s₁ = s₂.
The product of s₁ and s₂ is real so the possibilities of the roots for y (= s − A/3s) are
s₁ + s₂, (ωs₁ + ω²s₂) and (ω²s₁ + ωs₂).

Step 5: Shift the graph to the original position for the roots.
The three roots are
s₁ + s₂ − p/3, (ωs₁ + ω²s₂ − p/3) and (ω²s₁ + ωs₂ − p/3).

The solution of the equation
x³ + px² + qx + r = 0 is
s₁ + s₂ − p/3, (ωs₁ + ω²s₂ − p/3) and (ω²s₁ + ωs₂ − p/3).

Where ω is a cube root of 1 i.e (−1 + i√3)/2
Where s₁ is a cube root of [−B +√(B² + 4A³/27)]/2 and
s₂ is a cube root of [−B − √(B² + 4A³/27)]/2.
and
where A = q − p²/3 and B = 2p³/27 − qp/3 + r

How many Solutions of x + y + z = k

In this post we will consider all the positive integer solutions of the equation x + y + z = k. At the end of the post we will generalize the method.

Let us first solve the equation. There is a x, a y and a z. We can consider x 1's, y 1's and z 1's. So there are a total of (x + y + z) 1's. We can find its integer solutions by separating  1's at different positions. Consider the equation x + y + z = 9.

Some of the solutions of the equation are

11|111|1111 (2+3+4)
111|111|111 (3+3+3)
1111|111|11 (4+3+2)
1111|11|111 (4+2+3)
11|11|11111 (2+2+5)

Add all the ones in one group separated by |. The number of solutions of this type is the solution of the equation x + y + z = 9. The number of solutions of the equation is (9+2)!/(9!2!) = (11×10)/2 = 55. Hence there are 55 solutions. If we have the total as k and the number of plus sign is n. Then the total number of solutions is (k+n)!/(k!n!). This can be written in the combination symbol as C(n+k,k).

This equation is similar as taking the combination of r things in n containers of similar kind. The number of combinations is (n+r−1)!/(n−1)!r!. This can be written in the combination symbol as C(n+r−1,r).

Preliminaries in plane geometry (Part 2)

In this post we will discuss about equations of a line in different form. Every equation is related to other equation and can be derived from one other. In the post I have derived the different forms of equations of a straight line. I have started from an equation which is called two-point form and end with the normal form. normal form is also called perpendicular form. I have given graphs of four equations.

The equation of a line can be found if we know anyone of

1. two points
2. one point and slope of the line
3. slope of the line and y intercept
4. angle made by the perpendicular and its length to the line from the origin

The corresponding four types of equations are as follows

1. two points form: (y−y₁)/(x−x₁) = (y₂−y₁)/(x₂−x₁)
2. point-slope form: (y−y₁) = m (x−x₁)
3. slope-intercept form: y = mx + c
4. normal form: x cos α + y sin α = p

The four equations in the graph are
y = 3x + 4, y = x + 7 , y = 2x− 5 and y = −x + 3.

Let A(x₁, y₁) and B(x₂, y₂) be two points. Then the four types of equations can be framed as follows:

1. As the slope of the line will be constant. So, if a variable point is (x,y) then
   (y−y₁)/(x−x₁) = (y₂−y₁)/(x₂−x₁)


2. If the value of the slope is m then we can substitute,
   (y₂−y₁)/(x₂−x₁) = m
   and get the equation of the line as
   (y−y₁)/(x−x₁) = m
   (y−y₁)= m (x−x₁)
   


3. Expanding (y−y₁)=m(x−x₁)
   y−y₁= mx − mx₁
   y = mx−(mx₁− y₁)
   As [−(mx₁ − y₁)] is a constant and can be substituted for c
   y = mx + c
   
   From the above equation we get y = c when x = 0. Hence, c is the y intercept.


4. Normal form is found by considering the angle which the perpendicular from the origin  to the line makes with the x-axis and its length.
   
   
   
   
   In the figure the angle is α and the length of the perpendicular is p. Equation of line in two point form is
   (x₁, y₁) ≡ (a,0) and (x₂, y₂) ≡ (0,b)
   
   Using the two point form
   (y−y₁)/(x−x₁) = (y₂−y₁)/(x₂−x₁)
   y/(x − a) = b/(− a)
   −ay = bx − ab
   bx + ay = ab
   x/a + y/b = 1
   a = p sec α
   b = p cosec α
   x/(p sec α) + y/(p cosec α) = 1
   x cos α + y sin α = p

Preliminaries in plane geometry (Part 1)

Many shapes in a plane are well represented by equations. Circles, parabolas and hyperbolas are some of the shapes which can be represented by equations.
But to deal with them we need to know the basics of geometry. The posts related to basics of coordinate geometry is given in the related posts "Preliminaries in plane geometry". The posts will be given in many parts. each part will cover two to three topics. In this post we will discuss about Distance formula and Section formula.

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Distance formula

The Cartesian coordinates are used to represent points in a plane. Every point in a place has a one to one relationship to a coordinate point. The distance (d)  between two points A(x₁, y₁) and B(x₂, y₂) is given by the formula
d = √[(x₂ − x₁)²+(y₂ − y₁)²]

The above formula can be found with the help of Pythagoras theorem. Draw a right angled triangle as shown in the graph. When we draw a right angled triangle we draw it such that the two edges including the right angle are parallel to the two axis. This helps us to find the coordinate of the vertex. Name the right angled vertex as C. The coordinate of the point C is (x₂, y₁). a line parallel to the coordinate axis has its other coordinate same. Suppose the line is parallel to x-axis then all the points on the line has its y-coordinate equal.  The distance between the points A and B is d. The distance between the points A and C is AC =(x₂ − x₁) and distance between the points B and C is BC =(y₂ − y₁). By Pythagoras Theorem we have (AB)² = (AC)² + (BC)². Substituting the value of AC and BC we get

d² = (x₂ − x₁)²+(y₂ − y₁)²Taking square root and as distance cannot be negative, we get
d = √[(x₂ − x₁)²+(y₂ − y₁)²]

Example:
Distance between A(3,5) and B(1,2) is
AB = d
d = √[(1 − 3)²+(2 − 5)²]
= √(4+9)
= √13

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Section Formula

A point C(x,y) is present between A(x₁,y₁) and B(x₂,y₂). C divides AB internally in the ratio m:n. Then the coordinate of C is given by

C≡( [mx₂+nx₁)/(m+n)] , [(my₂+ny₁)/(m+n)] )

Example:
C divides AB internally in the ratio 1:2. A(3,5) and B(1,2). Find C.
Let the coordinate of C be (x,y). Then
Here m=1, n=2, x₁= 3, x₂ = 1, y₁ = 5, y₂ = 2.
x = (1×1 + 2×3)/(2+1)
= 7/3
  y= (1×2 + 2×5)/(2+1)
= 12/3
= 4. Hence the coordinate of C is (7/3,4).

If C divides AB externally in the ratio m:n. Then the coordinate of C is given by

C≡( [mx₂− nx₁)/(m − n)] , [(my₂− ny₁)/(m − n)] )

Example:
C divides AB externally in the ratio 2:1. A(3,5) and B(1,2). Find C.
Let the coordinate of C be (x,y). Then
Here m=2, n=1, x₁= 3, x₂ = 1, y₁ = 5, y₂ = 2.
x = (2×1 − 1×3)/(2 − 1)
= −1
  y = (2×2 − 1×5)/(2 − 1)
= −1
Hence the coordinate of C is (−1,−1).

Recurrence relation (Part 2) : Linear Equations

In the post Recurrence Relation (Part 1) we studied three examples of recurrence relations. In this post we will solve them. The recurrence relation (T_n = T_n-1 + T_n-2) of Fibonacci problem is linear and has order 2 and degree 1. It is also homogeneous. The recurrence relation (T_n = 2T_n-1 + 1) of Tower of Hanoi problem is also linear. It has order 1 and degree 1 but it is non homogeneous. Recurrence relations can exist in many forms as linear or non-linear.

A linear recurrence relation looks like this

T_n = f₁(n)T_n-1 + f₂(n)T_n-2 + f₃(n)T_n-3 + ...+ f_r(n)T_n-r+...+f_n-1(n)T₁ + f(n)
The order of the recurrence relation is r if f_i(n) = 0 for i > r.
It is called homogeneous if f(n) = 0 and non-homogeneous if f(n) ≠ 0.
We will consider linear homogeneous and non-homogeneous recurrence relation with constant coefficients. A linear recurrence relation with constant coefficients is given by

T_n = C₁T_n-1 + C₂T_n-2 + C₃T_n-3 + ...+ C_rT_n-r+...+C_n-1T₁ + f(n) where C_i is a constant, 0 < i < n.
The order of the recurrence relation is r if C_i = 0 for i > r.
It is called homogeneous if f(n) = 0 and non-homogeneous if f(n) ≠ 0.

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We will solve the linear homogeneous recurrence relation with constant coefficients first. The example of this type of equation which we are going to solve is Fibonacci Problem.
T_n = T_n−1 + T_n−2
Substitute the Terms with the r^{(the subscript)}
We get,
rⁿ = rⁿ⁻¹ + rⁿ⁻²
Divide throughout by the lowest power term which is r^n-2.
We get,
r² = r + 1
r² − r − 1 = 0
The above equation is called the characteristic polynomial of the recurrence relation and its roots are called characteristic roots.
The solution of the polynomial is r₁ = (1 + √5)/2 and r₂ = (1 − √5)/2

The solution of the recurrence relation can be written like this
T_n = A(r₁)ⁿ + B(r₂)ⁿ = A[(1 + √5)/2]ⁿ + B[(1 − √5)/2]ⁿ

T₁ = 1 = A[(1 + √5)/2] + B[(1 − √5)/2] = (A + B)/2 + (√5)/2(A − B)
T₂ = 1 = A[(1 + √5)/2]² + B[(1 − √5)/2]²
= A [1 + 5 + 2√5]/4 + B [1 + 5 − 2√5]/4
= A [6 + 2√5]/4 + B[6 − 2√5]/4

We get two relations
(A + B) + (√5)(A − B) = 2 ----(i)
and
3(A + B) + (√5)(A − B) = 2 ----(ii)

Solving the equations simultaneously, we get
3(i) - (ii)
2√5(A − B) = 4
A − B = 2/√5 and substituting in (i)  we get
A + B = 0

Again solving simultaneously,
2A = 2/√5
A = 1/√5
B = -1/√5
Hence the solution of the recurrence is
T_n = [1/√5][(1 + √5)/2]ⁿ - [1/√5][(1 − √5)/2]ⁿ

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Next we will solve the recurrence relation T_n = 2T_n−1 + 1 which belongs to the tower of Hanoi problem.

Linear non homogeneous recurrences require us to solve for their homogeneous part then substitute a relation which satisfies the non homogeneous recurrence. There are many methods which are different from it and can be used to solve many recurrences. These methods are

1. Method of iteration
2. Method of substitution
3. Method of telescoping sums
4. Method of inspection

Here, we will use method of iteration to solve the recurrence.
In this method we substitute the earlier term in the recurrence and look at the pattern and solve the series.
T_n = 2T_n−1 + 1
T_n = 2(2T_n−2 + 1) + 1
T_n = 2(2(2T_n−3 + 1) + 1) + 1
As T₁ = 1, so we get
T_n = 2^n-1 + 1 + 2 + 2² +....+ 2^n-2
T_n = 2^n-1 + (2^n-1 − 1) = 2ⁿ − 1

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Now we will solve the recurrence T_n = T_n-1 + k. This problem is multiplication problem. This recurrence will be solved by inspection. In inspection we write down enough terms such that we can guess the solution.
T₁ = k. Hence,
T_n  = T_n−2 + k + k
T_n  = T_n−3 + k + k + k
T_n  = T_n−4 + k + k + k + k
We can guess the solution to be T_n = nk as the number of k's increases as we use the lower terms of the recurrence and it increases by a definite number..

Whether real or complex (Cubic Equation)

This post deal with the conditions to check whether the roots are real or complex of a cubic equation. A cubic equation always has a real root. The other two roots are real or complex according as the graph cuts the x axis in one or three positions. If the graph touches the x-axis then two roots are equal. If the graph cuts the x-axis in three positions then all the roots are real. If the graph cuts the x-axis in one position then other two roots are complex. When we look at the graph of a general cubic equation we see a cup like structure and a cap like structure. The base of the cup like structure gives local minima and the top of cap like structure gives local maxima. Let us find the positions where the curve bends and changes its direction. We call the cup like structure concave upward and a cap like structure convex upward. The quadratic equation is ax³ + bx² + cx + d = 0. Let it be equal to y or f(x). y = ax³ + bx² + cx + d. Now the rate of change of curve is f '(x) = 3ax² + 2bx + c. f(x) is differentiated to obtain f '(x). We again differentiate f '(x) to obtain f ''(x),

f ''(x) = 6ax + 2b
f ''(x) = 6a(x + b/3a)

Let us check, for what values of x it may give maxima and for what values it may give minima.
There are four cases for it and is given in the following table

f ''(x)	x	a	state
> 0	x < (−b/3a)	a < 0	minima
< 0	x > (−b/3a)	a < 0	maxima
< 0	x < (−b/3a)	a > 0	maxima
> 0	x > (−b/3a)	a > 0	minima

When the local maxima and and local minima are on opposite sides of x-axis then all the roots are real.

Let us find the x-coordinate of maxima or minima. It is when f '(x)=0.

Solving 3ax² + 2bx + c = 0 we get
x = [−2b±√(4b² − 12ac)]/6a
x = [−b±√(b² − 3ac)]/3a
or
x₁ = [−b+√(b² − 3ac)]/3a
and
x₂ = [−b−√(b² − 3ac)]/3a Find the value of y for x₁ and x₂, substituting them in place of x.

For x₁ we get y₁ = [4b³ − 15abc + 27a²d + (6ac − 2b²)√(b² −3ac)]/27a²

For x₂ we get y₂ = [4b³ − 15abc + 27a²d − (6ac − 2b²)√(b² −3ac)]/27a²

Now local maxima and local minima lie on the opposite sides of the x-axis when y₁ and y₂ lie on the opposite sides of x-axis. This will happen when they are of opposite sign.

Now four cases arise:

y1	y2	Remark
y1< 0	y2< 0	One root is real and other two are complex. Graph of  y = x3 + 4x2 + 4x − 7
y1< 0	y2> 0	All the three roots are real.  Graph of y = x3 + 6x2 + 4x − 7 If y1 = 0 or y2 = 0 then there are two equal roots and it may be   [−b+√(b2 − 3ac)]/3a or [−b-√(b2 − 3ac)]/3a
y1> 0	y2< 0	All the three roots are real. Graph of y = − x3 + 4x2 + 4x − 7 If y1 = 0 or y2 = 0 then there are two equal roots. and it may be   [−b+√(b2 − 3ac)]/3a or [−b-√(b2 − 3ac)]/3a
y1> 0	y2> 0	One root is real and other two are complex. Graph of y = x3 + 4x2 + 4x + 7

When (b² − 3ac) is less than zero then y₁ and y₂ are complex and there is no maxima and minima. Then the equation has only one real root and other two are complex. See the graph for 3x² + 2x² + 3x + 4 = 0.
Where (b² − 3ac) = (4 − 27) < 0.

When y₁ or y₂ is equal to zero then there are two equal roots.

Recurrence Relation (Part 1)

In mathematics we come across many series which can be expressed in terms of its some or every term. These terms can be distributed in the whole of the series. For example if the n^th term is termed as T_n and it depends on its previous two terms then T_n can be expressed as many recurrence relation with these two terms. One of it is T_n = T_n-1 + T_n-2. Recurrence relations are used in computer science to find the time complexity of many algorithms. Let us consider some examples of recurrence relations. We will solve them in some other post.

• Multiple by consecutive numbers: Look at the series 2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16...The series can be represented as 0+2, 2+2, 4+2, 6+2, 8+2, 10+2, 12+2, 14+2...Here every term can be represented as sum of the previous term and 2.Hence, multiplication of 2 and consecutive natural numbers can be represented like this. T_n = T_n−1 + 2 where the first term is T₁ = 2. Similarly, multiplication of can be represented like T_n = T_n−1 + k where T₁ = k.



• Fibonacci Series: Leonardo di Pisa also known as Fibonacci posed a problem about rabbits in his book Liber Abaci in 1202. The problem stated: One pair of rabbits, one male and one female, are left on an island. These rabbits begin breeding at the end of two months and produce a pair of rabbits of opposite sex at the end of each month thereafter. Can you determine the number of pairs of rabbits after n months assuming no rabbit dies on this island?
  
  Let us try to solve this problem. In first month there is one pair. So, T₁ = 1. In the second month there is one pair. So, T₂ = 1. In the third month there are two pairs. So, T₃ = 2. Two are the rabbits in the first month and additional two are due to birth. In fourth month the pair of children produced are equal to the pairs of rabbits in the second month which can produce, this is equal to 1. The additional number of pairs are those in third month which equals 2. So, T₄ = 3. So it can be expressed in the recurrence relation as T_n = T_n-1 + T_n-2. Where T_n, T_n-1 and T_n-2 is pair of rabbits in n^th, n-1^th and n-2^th month respectively.


• The tower of Hanoi: The problem is invented by Edouard Lucas in 1883. We are given a tower of eight discs, initially stacked in decreasing size on one of three pegs. The problem is to transfer the entire tower to one of three pegs, moving only one disc at a time without ever moving a larger disc onto a smaller one.
  
  Let us solve this problem.
  
  
  
  1. With one disk we can move it in 1 move. So T₁ = 1.
  2. With two disks we can move it in 3 moves. The procedure is like this. There are three pegs A, B and C. A has both the disks in increasing order from top arranged in the order 2,1. We move 1 to B. Then move 2 to C. Then move 1 to C. So the number of moves for two disks is three. So, T₂ = 3.
  3. For three disks, we can move it in 7 moves. The procedure is like this. There are three pegs A, B and C. A has all the three disks in increasing order from top arranged in the order 3,2,1. We, move 1 to C, move 2 to B, move 1 to B, move 3 to C, move 1 to A. Then move 2 to C. Then move 1 to C. So the number of moves for three disks is seven. So, T₃ = 7.
  We can generalize the procedure like this, move n−1 disks to one peg then move the n^th disk and bring back the n−1 disks above the n^th disk. We can solve this problem in T_n = 2T_n-1 + 1 moves.

Read solutions of the above recurrences

Whether this or this or both or none (Logical connectives)

This post deals with propositional calculus. In propositional calculus we deal with propositions. Propositions are those sentences which are either true of false. One and the most important thing which is required in propositional calculus is reasoning. Our ancestors were able to form civilizations as they were able to reason things. But a rigorous study of logical reasoning was not done for a long time. The first such study that has been found is by the Greek philosopher Aristotle (384-322 BC). Leibnitz (1646-1716) and George Boole (1815-1864) seriously studied this and came up with with a theory and called it symbolic logic.

'The sun rises in the East.' is a proposition. It is a proposition because it can only take two values either true or false. The sentences which are either true or false are propositions or statements. In mathematics we come across many propositions and statements. x>2 is not a proposition as it can be true or false according as x>2 or x<2. So, 2<3 is a proposition but x<2 is not a proposition.

There are three main connectives in propositional calculus. It is conjunction(∧), disjunction(∨) and negation(¬).

Consider the two statements.
p: I play badminton.
q: I play football.

We can frame two statements with the combination of A and B. It is called compound statement.

I play badminton and I play football.

The above statement is formed by the combination of the two statements with the help of 'and'. This is called conjunction. It is denoted by the symbol '∧'. We can frame a table of all the possibilities. It is called truth table.
 

F is false. T is true.
p	q	p∧q
F	F	F
F	T	F
T	F	F
T	T	T

As we can see from the above that conjunction is true only when all the possibilities are true and false if anyone is false.

I play badminton or I play football.

The above statement is formed by the combination of the two statements with the help of 'or'. This is called disjunction. It is denoted by the symbol '∨' We can frame a truth table of all the possibilities.
 

F is false. T is true.
p	q	p∨q
F	F	F
F	T	T
T	F	T
T	T	T

As we can see from the above that conjunction is false only when all the possibilities are false and true if anyone is true.

I don't play football.

The statement 'I play football.' is transformed to 'I don't play football.' with the help of 'negation'. It is denoted by '¬'. The truth table for 'negation' is

F is false. T is true.
q	¬q
F	T
T	F

Negation of q is true when q is false and false when q is true.

Whether real or complex (Quadratic Equation)

This post deals with the conditions to check whether the roots are real or complex. The roots are real when the graph really cuts the x-axis. When we look at the graph of a quadratic equation we see a cup like structure or cap like structure. Let us check when it is cup like and cap like. We call the cup like structure concave upward and a cap like structure convex upward. The quadratic equation is ax² + bx + c = 0. Let it be equal to y or f(x). Now the rate of change of curve is f'(x) = 2ax + b. f(x) is differentiated to obtain f'(x). We again differentiate f'(x) to obtain f''(x), f''(x) = 2a. Now we find the x-coordinate of the point where the slope is zero i.e. f'(x) = 0.

2ax₁ + b = 0
⇒ x₁ = −b/2aNow the point on the graph is concave upward or convex upward according as the point at the x-coordinate x₁ = −b/2a is maxima or minima. This thing is determined by checking the value of f''(x). If it is positive then the curve has minima and if it is negative then the curve is maxima. We have f''(x) = 2a. It is positive if a is positive and negative when a is negative. Hence we can make following conclusions

1. concave : The graph is concave upward if a is positive.
   
   
   
   The graph given above is of the function f(x) = 2x² + 4x - 3.


2. convex : The graph is convex upward if a is negative.
   
   
   The graph given above is of the function f(x) = −2x² + 4x + 3

Now, we find the y coordinate of the point where it moves upward or downward traveling from x = −∞ at x = -b/2a. It changes its direction at −b/2a to opposite direction of y-axis.
y = ax² + bx + c
at x = x₁ = −b/2a
y₁ = a(−b/2a)² + b(−b/2a) + c
= b²/4a − b²/2a + c
= − b²/4a + c
= − (b² − 4ac)/4a

Now, four conditions arise as given in the following table

a	b2−4ac	Comment
−ve	−ve	The value of y1 is −ve and the curve is concave downward. The curve will be present below y1. Hence it will cut the x-axis at no points. So the roots are imaginary.
−ve	+ve	The value of y1 is +ve and the curve is concave downward. The curve will be present below y1. Hence it will cut the x-axis at one or two points. So the roots are real and may be equal if y1 = 0.
+ve	−ve	The value of y1 is +ve and the curve is concave upward. The curve will be present above y1. Hence it will cut the x-axis at no points. So the roots are imaginary.
+ve	+ve	The value of y1 is −ve and the curve is concave upward. The curve will be present above y1. Hence it will cut the x-axis at one or two points. So the roots are real and may be equal if  y1 = 0.