SOLUTION: Which method is best used to find the solutions to: k(w) = -w^2 + 4 a. Using the square root property b. Completing the square c. Using the quadratic formula d. This c

Algebra ->  Quadratic Equations and Parabolas  -> Quadratic Equations Lessons -> SOLUTION: Which method is best used to find the solutions to: k(w) = -w^2 + 4 a. Using the square root property b. Completing the square c. Using the quadratic formula d. This c      Log On


   

Question 141309: Which method is best used to find the solutions to:
k(w) = -w^2 + 4
a. Using the square root property
b. Completing the square
c. Using the quadratic formula
d. This cannot be solved since the variable is not 'x'
I selected D; because a,b,c all require a 'x' variable
Answer by vleith(2983) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
It is a common misconception to think that every function must be expressed in terms of y and x. That is NOT so. You can use any 'variables' to represent unknowns. It doesn't have to be x and y, it doesn't even have to be letters. You would use symbols if you wanted to.
So D is not correct.

The given equation is the sum of two perfect squares. Sums of two squares cannot be factored. Completing the square is not appropriate for this one.
To find the solutions, set k(w) to 0 and solve. a is the simplest way to do that. c would work too.
0+=+-w%5E2+%2B+4
-4+=+-w%5E2
4+=+w%5E2
-+2 = w