SOLUTION: In the following problem I am trying to solve for x but something isnt working right when I go back tocheck my work. The following are the ways that I tried but it back fired. Can

Question 111355: In the following problem I am trying to solve for x but something isnt working right when I go back tocheck my work. The following are the ways that I tried but it back fired. Can you please assist.
the equation is {x^2-7x-3=0}
This is what I have
x^2-7x-3=0
-6x^2-3=0
-9x=0
x=0
and
x^2-7x-3=0
7x^2+3=0
10x^2
I know that both are wrong but cant get the right answer, can you please advise me as to what I am doing wrong?
Thank you so much!!
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The main problem you are having is that you are combining terms. You cannot add and to get since they are different terms. So you either have to factor (which doesn't work all of the time) or use the quadratic formula (which works for any quadratic formula).

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=-7, and c=-3

Negate -7 to get 7

Square -7 to get 49 (note: remember when you square -7, you must square the negative as well. This is because .)

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

Now break up the fraction

or

Simplify

or

So the solutions are:

or

RELATED QUESTIONS
I am a mom who is trying to help my 11th grade daughter with her algebra. I remember a... (answered by pwac)

Hello! I have tried to work this problem out but my answer doesn't appear to work when (answered by edjones)

Hello! I have tried working this problem but when I checked my answer it did not work... (answered by stanbon)

I have been trying to solve this problem and I am not sure what I am doing wrong. The... (answered by CubeyThePenguin)

I need help. I am trying to solve addition and subtraction of rational numbers problem. I (answered by ankor@dixie-net.com)

This is the problem I'm having trouble with: "Find the value of each variable and the... (answered by Theo)

This should be super easy, but I am not doing something right, however I cannot figure... (answered by josgarithmetic)

Hi, Im Beckah. Im having issues with my math homework. Im in geometry, but we have an... (answered by stanbon,nerdybill)

Am I allowed to simple ask for assistance into understanding the concept of vectors in... (answered by rothauserc)