document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=188615>Question 188615</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> I am trying to teach my students quadriatic equations but I need to understand them myself.  We use the Plato program but I keep coming up with the wrong answer.  Can you give me the steps.... in laymans terms.  I am NOT a math brained person.  Two of the problems that have given us trouble are:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "1.) 24 + 11y + y2 = 0\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "and\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "2.) 5y - 14 = -y2\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Thanks<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #141414 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><B>stanbon(75887)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=141414\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> I am trying to teach my students quadriatic equations but I need to understand them myself. Two of the problems that have given us trouble are: <BR>\n" );
document.write( "Quadratic equations are solved by: 1) graphing ; 2) factoring ; and <BR>\n" );
document.write( "3) quadratic formula.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "1.) 24 + 11y + y^2 = 0 <BR>\n" );
document.write( "The formula is x = [-b +- sqrt(b^2 - 4ac)]/(2a)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "In your problem, a = 1, b = 11, c = 24<BR>\n" );
document.write( "So x = [-11 +- sqrt(11^2 - 4*1*24)]/2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x = [-11 +- sqrt(121 - 96)]/2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x = [-11 +- sqrt(25)]/2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x = [-11 +- 5]/2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x = -8 or x = -3<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "and <BR>\n" );
document.write( "2.) 5y - 14 = -y^2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Rearrange to get:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "y^2 + 5y - 14 = 0<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Factor:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(y+7)(y-2) = 0<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Since the product is zero, one of the factors must be zero:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "y = -7 or y = 2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "========================== <BR>\n" );
document.write( "Cheers,<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Stan H.<BR>\n" );
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