[Fyron]

There was distance. In fact, I'm pretty sure it was the position equation, now that I think about it. We never plugged it into the zeros-solving quadratic equation, hence no 4ac.

+/- is from the quadratic equation. There are two zeros (values of x where the curve intercepts the x axis and y is zero) in the solution to every quadratic equation. The handy cheat sheet formula compacts them into the same function, which varies only by making one version a + and the other a - where that +/- symbol goes.

===

The thing about the position function is that it assumes constant acceleration of both parties. It is calculating how much time passes until the objects intercept. From this, you can plot out where they intercept and get the necessary angle of motion. Remember that you had to do this every so often to find a new intercept heading, based on changes to the acceleration vectors of both objects.