What is the nature of the roots of the equation \(x^2-11x+30=0\)?

Correct answer: two real and distinct

Here, \(a=1\), \(b=-11\), and \(c=30\). The discriminant is \(D=b^2-4ac=(-11)^2-4(1)(30)=121-120=1\). Since \(D>0\), the roots are real and distinct. In fact, the equation factors as \((x-5)(x-6)=0\), giving roots 5 and 6. Exam tip: \(D>0\) indicates real and distinct roots, \(D=0\) indicates real and equal roots, and \(D<0\) indicates non-real roots.