ANSWER
The discriminant is 384. Because the discriminant is greater than 0 and is not a perfect square, the two roots are real and irrational.
EXPLANATION
The given quadratic equation is:
[tex] - 3 {x}^{2} - 18x + 5 = 0[/tex]
We compare this equation to:
[tex]a {x}^{2} + bx + c = 0[/tex]
We have a=-3,b=-18, and c=5.
The discriminant of a quadratic equation is calculated using the formula:
[tex]D=b^{2} - 4ac[/tex]
We plug in the values to obtain:
[tex]D= {( - 18)}^{2} - 4( - 3)(5)[/tex]
[tex]D= 324 + 60[/tex]
Simplify:
[tex]D= 384[/tex]
The discriminant is greater than zero, hence there are two distinct real roots.
Since 384 is not a perfect square, the roots are irrational.