SOLUTION: If you could please help me on the steps when using the quadratic equation? I can identify the A,B and C variables and know the formula. And yet I can never seem to get the right

Question 119345: If you could please help me on the steps when using the quadratic equation?
I can identify the A,B and C variables and know the formula. And yet I can never seem to get the right solution. Can you break it down a bit for me? The site helps but it leaves me stuck as soon as I put in the variables. I think the problem is Im unsure how to solve what is going to be squared. If you have absolutely no idea what I'm saying I understand, I am bad at explaining things and would try again. Thank you for your help at any rate.
~S
Answer by Fombitz(32388) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!

It does seem a little ominous.
Break it down into smaller steps.
First

Then

That's were you have to watch your positive and negative signs.
Then subtract those two.

In mathematics, that term is called the discriminant.
Let's call it D.

Take the square root of D and the rest is just addition and division.

Practice, practice, practice.
Start with the answer, work backwards, and see where you run into problems.

The answers should be x=-5,3.

If you find you're making mistakes in the same place, pay more attention in that area until you're more comfortable doing it.
Good luck.
RELATED QUESTIONS
Could you please help me solve this problem. I am confused. The following equation is... (answered by nerdybill)

Please Help. I have a textbook and it takes me through the steps on what I need to do,... (answered by Fombitz)

Could you please help me solve for X and state the restrictions on the variables:... (answered by richwmiller)

I have a question for you and I hope that you can help me out with it. The question is; (answered by stanbon)

I need help in solving the below equation. I do not understand how the answer is 4y.... (answered by ewatrrr)

Hello, could someone please tell me how i graph an equation and identify the y intercept... (answered by rapaljer)

Can you help me with this please?? When using the quadratic formula to solve a... (answered by Edwin McCravy)

I'm stuck on this question, can you please help me? When graphing independent and... (answered by richwmiller)

I have some problems I got wrong on my test. Please explain step by step what I should... (answered by stanbon,chitra)