Let, both $a$ and $b$ belong to the set {1,2,3,4}. What is the number of equations of the form $ax^2+bx+1=0$ which have real roots. Let, both $a$ and $b$ belong to the set {1,2,3,4}. What is the number of equations of the form $ax^2+bx+1=0$ which have real roots.
for real roots, $a \gt 0$, $b^2-4{a}{c} \ge 0$
Here we have $c=1$, and $a \ge 0$
Now we need to have $b^2-4a \ge 0$
i.e. $(-2\sqrt{a} \ge b) \cup (b \ge 2\sqrt{a})$

You have basically answered the question yourself. You just need $a>0$ which is automatic and $b^2\geq 4ac=4a$. So for $a=1$, $b$ can be $2,3,4$, for $a=2$, $b$ can be $3,4$ and for $a=3$ or $4$, $b$ can be only $4$.
Thus there are $7$ possible polynomials.
