SOLUTION: x²+(x-7)²=13²

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Question 1162005: x²+(x-7)²=13²
Answer by ikleyn(52780) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
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In positive numbers, the solution is x = 12:


    12^2 + (12-7)^2 = 144 + 25 = 169 = 13^2.


The triple (5,12,13) is so called Pythagorean triple - next after the Pythagorean triple (3,4,5).


In negative numbers, the solution is x = -5; then


    (-5)^2 + (-5-7)^2 = 25 + 144 = 169 = 13^2.


You can solve the original equation formally


    x^2 + x^2 - 14x + 49 = 169

    2x^2 - 14x - 120 = 0

     x^2 - 7x  -  60 = 0      (*)


Next, factor the left side


    (x-12)*(x + 5) = 0,


giving you the same two roots  x= 12  and  x= -5.


Or, alternatively, you can apply the quadratic formula to solve equation (*).

Solved and explained.

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On quadratic formula, see the lessons
    - Introduction into Quadratic Equations
    - PROOF of quadratic formula by completing the square
in this site.


On Pythagorean triples, see this Wikipedia articles
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythagorean_triple#:~:text=A%20Pythagorean%20triple%20consists%20of,%2B%20b2%20%3D%20c2.&text=The%20name%20is%20derived%20from,lengths%20of%20a%20right%20triangle.