Minimum value in a quadratic function

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From an entrance exam:

If the function $f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c$ has a minimum value in the set of real numbers, what holds true?

  1. $a < 0$
  2. $a = 0$
  3. $a > 0$
  4. None of the above.

The correct answer was option 3, but wouldn't $a=b=0$ work, thus making option 4 the correct one?