SOLUTION: how do you use the quadratic formula?

Algebra.Com
Question 336454: how do you use the quadratic formula?
Answer by Edwin McCravy(20054)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
how do you use the quadratic formula?

You first get the equation in this form with the  positive:



then you substitute in this

 

Then you simplify and you get two answers, one using the + and
one using the -.

Example:



Write it in descending order on the left with only 0 on the right:



Multiply through by -1 to make the first term  positive:





Now simplify:







The two solutions are:

 and 

You can get the approximate decimal values with a calculator:

  and 

Edwin

RELATED QUESTIONS

how do you prove that the quadratic formula is irrational (answered by Edwin McCravy)
how do you use the quadratic formula to solve 5y^2+5y=9? please round to the nearest... (answered by jim_thompson5910)
how do you use the quadratic formula for 2a^2 - 46a + 252 = 0? please round to the... (answered by Alan3354,jim_thompson5910)
I need help with a quadratic Equation 2x^2=90 How do i use the quadratic formula if... (answered by tutor_paul,jim_thompson5910)
How do I use the quadratic formula to solve: 1.4x^2-2x-10=0 (answered by checkley71)
How do I use the quadratic formula to solve this x^2-3x=-6 ? (answered by ewatrrr)
How do I use the quadratic formula to solve for x if... (answered by Alan3354)
how do i know whether to use the quadratic formula or graph to solve my quadratic... (answered by richwmiller)
How do you use the quadratic formula to find roots of an equation with four terms? (x to... (answered by Alan3354,stanbon)