In this discriminant worksheet, students use the discriminant to determine the number of roots a polynomial contains. In this video I'm going to talk about using What's called the discriminant to find the number of solutions to a quadratic equation.First in series of mathematics courses required for admission to a 4-year college or university. Algebra I Lessons: Arithmetic Sequences, Average Rate of Change, Correlation and Line of Best Fit, Comparing Linear and Quadratic Functions. The discriminant is the part of the quadratic formula underneath the square root symbol: b²-4ac. Step 1: Identify the values of a, b, and c in the quadratic equation. Step 2: Substitute the values of a, b, and c into the quadratic formula.