In mathematics, the discriminant of a polynomial is a quantity that depends on the coefficients and allows deducing some properties of the roots without computing them. Wikipedia

Function of the coefficients of a polynomial that gives information on its roots Wikidata

An expression that gives information about the roots of a polynomial; for example, the expression D = b2 - 4ac determines whether the roots of the quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 are real and distinct (D > 0), real and equal (D = 0) or complex (D < 0). Wiktionary