SOLUTION: find the roots of the polynomial equation. x^2 + x - 72 = 0

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Question 292541: find the roots of the polynomial equation. x^2 + x - 72 = 0
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Solved by pluggable solver: Quadratic Formula
Let's use the quadratic formula to solve for x:


Starting with the general quadratic





the general solution using the quadratic equation is:







So lets solve ( notice , , and )





Plug in a=1, b=1, and c=-72




Square 1 to get 1




Multiply to get




Combine like terms in the radicand (everything under the square root)




Simplify the square root (note: If you need help with simplifying the square root, check out this solver)




Multiply 2 and 1 to get 2


So now the expression breaks down into two parts


or


Lets look at the first part:





Add the terms in the numerator

Divide


So one answer is






Now lets look at the second part:





Subtract the terms in the numerator

Divide


So another answer is




So our solutions are:

or