3x^2 - 2x - 3 = 0 Please help me solve this equation By completing the square 3x² - 2x - 3 = 0 Get constant term on right by adding 3 to both sides 3x² - 2x = 3 Divide every term by the coefficient of x², namely 3 3 2 3 --- x² - --- x = --- 3 3 3 2 x² - --- x = 1 3 or written on one line x² - (2/3)x = 1 Multiply coefficient of x, -2/3 by 1/2, getting -1/3 Square -1/3: (-1/3)2 = 1/9 Add 1/9 to both sides: x² - (2/3)x + 1/9 = 1 + 1/9 The left side factors as (x - 1/3)(x - 1/3) = 1 + 1/9 or (x - 1/3)² = 1 + 1/9 The right side becomes 1 + 1/9 = 9/9 + 1/3 = 10/3 (x - 1/3)² = 10/9 Take the square root of both sides, remembering ± on the right side ____ x - 1/3 = ±Ö10/9 We can take the square root of denominator 9 as 3 __ x - 1/3 = ±Ö10/3 Solving for x by adding 1/3 to both sides __ x = 1/3 ± Ö10/3 Both fractions have same denominator, so combine numerators over the common denominator __ x = (1 ± Ö10)/3 Edwin AnlytcPhil@aol.com