Using the quadratic formula:
x2 + bx + c = 0 ---> x = [ -b +/- sqrt(b2 - 4c) ] / 2
Difference of the roots: | [ (-b + sqrt(b2 - 4c) / 2 ] - [ (-b - sqrt(b2 - 4c) / 2 ] | = | 2sqrt(b2 - 4c) / 2 | = sqrt(b2 - 4c)
But: sqrt(b2 - 4c) = | b - 2c |
squaring both sides: b2 - 4c = (b - 2c)2
b2 - 4c = b2 - 4bc + 4c2
-4c = -4bc + 4c2
0 = 4c2 + 4c - 4bc
0 = c2 + c - bc
0 = c(c + 1 - b)
Either c = 0 or c + 1 - b = 0
Since c is not equal to 0, c = b - 1