Mapping Diagrams (Real) Visualize Solving a Quadratic Equation
Mapping Diagrams for Solving a Quadratic Equation
The history of complex numbers comes through several problems- especially the solution of the general cubic equation. In current approaches to algebra, complex numbers are usually introduced during the discussion of the general quadratic equation for cases when no real solution exists.
Below is a visualization using mapping diagrams of the solution of quadratic equations in cases where there exist real solutions using. A solution visualizing the solution in the more general context of complex numbers will be presented later.
Notice that the solution of the quadratic equation relies on the quadratic function be expressed as a composition using the "vertex form" of the quadratic function.