Suppose that $a+b = 2m_{1}$ and $ab = 4m_{1}^{2}-3m_{2}$. Why is the quadratic equation $$y^{2}-2m_{1}y+(4m_{1}^{2}-3m_{2})=0$$ instead of $$y^{2}+2m_{1}y+(4m_{1}^{2}-3m_{2})=0$$
In other words, why is it $-2m_{1}y$ instead of $2m_{1}y$ in the second term?
Because, if a quadratic equation has two roots $x_1$ and $x_2$, then one has $$ x^2+bx+c=(x-x_1)(x-x_2). $$ Comparing the coefficients at the equal powers yields $$ x_1+x_2=-b,\quad x_1 x_2=c, $$ note the minus sign.