SAT Linear equations in one variable Question

Focused practice00:00

Question 1 · Medium · MathAugust 2024 · Q21Linear equations in one variable · 0 solved

$- x^{2} + b x - 169 = 0$ In the given equation, $b$ is an integer. The equation has no real solutions. What is the least possible value of $b$ ?

Enter your answer

Fractions and decimals are both accepted. If the answer does not fit, fill the box — you may truncate or round.

Wrong answers are logged automatically — sign in after three questions to keep your mistake log and get memory-curve retests.

The trap here

SAT discriminant: how many solutions, without solving — When an SAT question asks for exactly one solution or no real solution, it is asking about b² − 4ac. Solving the quadratic is the slow way to get it wrong.