SOLUTION: Step by step Original- ax^2 + bx + c =0 1. subtract c from each side 2. Divide each side by a 3. Add he square of half the coefficient of x to each side 4.write the left s

Algebra ->  Quadratic Equations and Parabolas  -> Quadratic Equations Lessons  -> Quadratic Equation Lesson -> SOLUTION: Step by step Original- ax^2 + bx + c =0 1. subtract c from each side 2. Divide each side by a 3. Add he square of half the coefficient of x to each side 4.write the left s      Log On


   

Question 36455: Step by step
Original- ax^2 + bx + c =0
1. subtract c from each side
2. Divide each side by a
3. Add he square of half the coefficient of x to each side
4.write the left side as a perfect square
5.use a common denominator to express the right side as a single fraction
6. find the square root of eac side
7. solve for x by subtracting the same term form each side
8. use a common denominator to express the right side as a single fraction
once all the steps are done you should end up with the quadratice formula but i cant get past step three and i need each step. PLEASE HELp
Answer by Earlsdon(6294) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Although you don't say so, it looks like you are tryng to derive the quadratic formula. Starting with the genaeral form of the quadratic equation:
ax%5E2%2Bbx%2Bc+=+0 Subtract c from each side.
ax%5E2+%2B+bx+=+-c Divide each side by a.
x%5E2+%2B+bx%2Fa+=+-c%2Fa Add the square of half the x-coefficient to each side, that's %28b%2F2a%29%5E2+=+b%5E2%2F4a%5E2
x%5E2+%2B+bx%2Fa+%2B+b%5E2%2F4a%5E2+=+b%5E2%2F4a%5E2+-+c%2Fa Write the left side as a perfect square binomial.
%28x+%2B+b%2F2a%29%5E2+=+b%5E2%2F4a%5E2+-+c%2Fa Use a common denominator to express the right side as a single fraction.
%28x+%2B+b%2F2a%29%5E2+=+%28b%5E2+-+4ac%29%2F4a%5E2 Take the square root of each side.
x+%2B+b%2F2a+=+%28sqrt%28b%5E2+-+4ac%29%29%2F2a Subtract b%2F2a from each side.
x+=+-b%2F2a+%2B-sqrt%28b%5E2+-+4ac%29%2F2a Simplify.
x+=+%28-b+%2B-+sqrt%28b%5E2+-+4ac%29%29%2F2a