Assertion (A): The roots of the quadratic equation 3x² + 7x + 8 = 0 are imaginary.

Reason (R): The discriminant of a quadratic equation is always positive.

1. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

2. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

3. A is true, but R is false.

4. A is false, but R is true.

Given,

⇒ 3x² + 7x + 8 = 0

Comparing 3x² + 7x + 8 = 0 with ax² + bx + c = 0 we get,

a = 3, b = 7 and c = 8.

We know that,

Discriminant (D) = b² - 4ac

= (7)² - 4 × (3) × (8)

= 49 - 96 = -47; which is negative.

Therefore, the equation has imaginary and unequal roots.

So, Assertion (A) is true.

The Discriminant of quadratic equation can be positive, negative or equal to zero.

So, Reason (R) is false.

A is true, R is false.

Hence, option 3 is the correct option.