Quadratic Equations with Complex Roots

  • 11th Grade,
  • 12th Grade
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| Attempts: 11 | Questions: 20 | Updated: Dec 17, 2025
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1) What is the value of i²?

Explanation

The correct value is −1 because i is defined as √−1, so squaring it gives i² = (√−1)² = −1, which is the fundamental identity used in all complex-number algebra.

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About This Quiz
Quadratic Equations With Complex Roots - Quiz

Wondering how quadratic equations lead to complex solutions? In this quiz, you’ll explore equations where the discriminant dips below zero and learn how to express solutions using complex numbers. You’ll practice completing the square, using the quadratic formula, and interpreting results. By the end, you’ll strengthen your algebraic intuition fo... see morewhen and why complex roots appear.
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2) Solve the equation: x² + 9 = 0

Explanation

The solution is ±3i because setting x² + 9 = 0 gives x² = −9 and taking the square root of a negative number introduces i, yielding x = ±√−9 = ±3i, providing two purely imaginary roots.

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3) For the equation x² + 4x + 8 = 0, the discriminant is:

Explanation

The discriminant is −16 because D = b² − 4ac = 4² − 4·1·8 = 16 − 32 = −16, and since the discriminant is negative the quadratic has complex (not real) roots.

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4) Find the roots of x² + 4x + 8 = 0.

Explanation

The roots are −2 ± 2i because applying the quadratic formula gives x = (−4 ± √−16)/2 = (−4 ± 4i)/2 = −2 ± 2i, showing a pair of complex conjugate solutions.

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5) Which statement is true for a quadratic when the discriminant is negative?

Explanation

The correct statement is that a negative discriminant produces two complex conjugate roots because when D

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6) Simplify (3 + 2i)(3 - 2i).

Explanation

The product (3 + 2i)(3 − 2i) equals 13 because multiplying a complex number by its conjugate yields a² + b², so here 3² + 2² = 9 + 4 = 13, and the imaginary parts cancel to produce a purely real result.

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7) The quadratic x² - 4x + 13 = 0 has roots:

Explanation

The roots are 2 ± 3i because the discriminant is −36 and applying the quadratic formula gives x = (4 ± 6i)/2 = 2 ± 3i, forming a conjugate pair.

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8) Simplify (2i)².

Explanation

(2i)² equals −4 because (2i)² = 4i² and i² = −1, so the result is 4(−1) = −4, converting a squared imaginary term into a negative real number.

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9) The discriminant b² - 4ac determines whether roots are real or complex.

Explanation

True, because the discriminant b² − 4ac completely determines the nature of the roots: positive gives two real roots, zero gives one repeated real root, and negative gives two complex conjugate roots.

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10) Complex numbers can be represented on a one-dimensional number line

Explanation

False, because complex numbers require a two-dimensional representation in the Argand plane where the real part lies on the horizontal axis and the imaginary part on the vertical axis, making them impossible to plot on a one-dimensional number line.

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11) If 2 + 5i is a root of a quadratic with real coefficients, then 2 - 5i is also a root.

Explanation

True, because any quadratic with real coefficients has roots that are either both real or else a pair of complex conjugates, meaning if 2 + 5i is a root, then 2 − 5i must also be a root so the imaginary parts cancel in coefficient expressions.

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12) I³ equals -i.

Explanation

The statement is true because i³ can be rewritten using powers of i, giving i³ = i² · i, and since i² = −1 by definition of the imaginary unit, substitution yields i³ = (−1) · i = −i, showing that the third power of i simply rotates the unit imaginary number one quarter-turn further around the complex plane, landing at the point −i on the imaginary axis.

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13) A quadratic with a discriminant of zero has complex roots.

Explanation

False, because a discriminant of zero means the quadratic has exactly one real repeated root, not a pair of complex roots, since the square root of zero introduces no imaginary term.

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14) The sum of the complex roots of a real quadratic is always real.

Explanation

True, because the sum of complex conjugate roots (a + bi) and (a − bi) is 2a, which is always real as the imaginary parts cancel perfectly.

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15) The imaginary unit i is defined as the square root of _______.

Explanation

The imaginary unit i is defined as the square root of −1 because this definition enables expression of square roots of negative numbers and forms the foundation for all complex arithmetic.

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16) If x² + 25 = 0, then x = ± _______.

Explanation

The solutions are ±5i because x² + 25 = 0 implies x² = −25 and taking square roots gives x = ±√−25 = ±5i, producing two imaginary roots.

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17) In the equation x² + 6x + 13 = 0, the sum of the roots is _______.

Explanation

The sum of the roots of x² + 6x + 13 = 0 is −6 because for any quadratic ax² + bx + c the sum of roots is −b/a, and here −6/1 = −6.

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18) The product of the roots of x² + 6x + 13 = 0 is _______.

Explanation

The product of the roots is 13 because in a quadratic ax² + bx + c the product of the roots equals c/a, so here c = 13 and a = 1, giving a product of 13 which is real as it comes from multiplying conjugate roots.

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19) When b² - 4ac < 0, a quadratic has _______ roots.

Explanation

When b² − 4ac

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20) (4i)² = _______.

Explanation

(4i)² equals −16 because 4i multiplied by itself yields 16i² and i² = −1, giving the final value 16(−1) = −16.

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What is the value of i²?
Solve the equation: x² + 9 = 0
For the equation x² + 4x + 8 = 0, the discriminant is:
Find the roots of x² + 4x + 8 = 0.
Which statement is true for a quadratic when the discriminant is...
Simplify (3 + 2i)(3 - 2i).
The quadratic x² - 4x + 13 = 0 has roots:
Simplify (2i)².
The discriminant b² - 4ac determines whether roots are real or...
Complex numbers can be represented on a one-dimensional number line
If 2 + 5i is a root of a quadratic with real coefficients, then 2 - 5i...
I³ equals -i.
A quadratic with a discriminant of zero has complex roots.
The sum of the complex roots of a real quadratic is always real.
The imaginary unit i is defined as the square root of _______.
If x² + 25 = 0, then x = ± _______.
In the equation x² + 6x + 13 = 0, the sum of the roots is _______.
The product of the roots of x² + 6x + 13 = 0 is _______.
When b² - 4ac < 0, a quadratic has _______ roots.
(4i)² = _______.
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