Question

If $a{x}^2+bx+c=0$ is a quadratic equation, then “a” cannot be:

• A. -1
• B. 1
• C. $pi$

Answer 1

The standard form of any quadratic equation is $a{x}^2+bx+c=0$, provided a, b, c [coefficients] are real numbers and a ≠ 0 [a is called the leading coefficient]. If a = 0, the equation would become bx + c = 0 which is then a linear equation, but not a quadratic any more. Hence, the leading coefficient, which is a, should never be 0 in a quadratic equation.