document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=118218>Question 118218</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Hi, I am having some problems understanding the steps using quadratic formula. Can you please show me in detailed steps how to solve this problem.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "x^2 – 3x – 23 = 5\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "My directions say to solve using the quadratic formula.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Thank you<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Patti </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #86322 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=jim_thompson5910><B>jim_thompson5910(35256)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=jim_thompson5910><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=86322\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x%5E2-3x-23=5 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x%5E2-3x-23=5\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Start with the given equation\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x%5E2-3x-23-5=0 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x%5E2-3x-23-5=0\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >  Subtract 5 from both sides. \r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x%5E2-3x-28=0 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x%5E2-3x-28=0\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Combine like terms\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Let's use the quadratic formula to solve for x:\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Starting with the general quadratic\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=ax%5E2%2Bbx%2Bc=0 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"ax%5E2%2Bbx%2Bc=0\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "the general solution using the quadratic equation is:\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x+=+%28-b+%2B-+sqrt%28+b%5E2-4%2Aa%2Ac+%29%29%2F%282%2Aa%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x+=+%28-b+%2B-+sqrt%28+b%5E2-4%2Aa%2Ac+%29%29%2F%282%2Aa%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "So lets solve <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x%5E2-3%2Ax-28=0 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x%5E2-3%2Ax-28=0\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > ( notice <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=a=1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"a=1\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >, <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=b=-3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"b=-3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >, and <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=c=-28 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"c=-28\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >)\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x+=+%28--3+%2B-+sqrt%28+%28-3%29%5E2-4%2A1%2A-28+%29%29%2F%282%2A1%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x+=+%28--3+%2B-+sqrt%28+%28-3%29%5E2-4%2A1%2A-28+%29%29%2F%282%2A1%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Plug in a=1, b=-3, and c=-28\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x+=+%283+%2B-+sqrt%28+%28-3%29%5E2-4%2A1%2A-28+%29%29%2F%282%2A1%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x+=+%283+%2B-+sqrt%28+%28-3%29%5E2-4%2A1%2A-28+%29%29%2F%282%2A1%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Negate -3 to get 3\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x+=+%283+%2B-+sqrt%28+9-4%2A1%2A-28+%29%29%2F%282%2A1%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x+=+%283+%2B-+sqrt%28+9-4%2A1%2A-28+%29%29%2F%282%2A1%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Square -3 to get 9  (note: remember when you square -3, you must square the negative as well. This is because <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=%28-3%29%5E2=-3%2A-3=9 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"%28-3%29%5E2=-3%2A-3=9\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >.)\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x+=+%283+%2B-+sqrt%28+9%2B112+%29%29%2F%282%2A1%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x+=+%283+%2B-+sqrt%28+9%2B112+%29%29%2F%282%2A1%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Multiply <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-4%2A-28%2A1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-4%2A-28%2A1\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > to get <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=112 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"112\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x+=+%283+%2B-+sqrt%28+121+%29%29%2F%282%2A1%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x+=+%283+%2B-+sqrt%28+121+%29%29%2F%282%2A1%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Combine like terms in the radicand (everything under the square root)\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x+=+%283+%2B-+11%29%2F%282%2A1%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x+=+%283+%2B-+11%29%2F%282%2A1%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Simplify the square root (note: If you need help with simplifying the square root, check out this <a  rel=nofollow HREF=http://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/Radicals/simplifying-square-roots.solver> solver</a>)\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x+=+%283+%2B-+11%29%2F2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x+=+%283+%2B-+11%29%2F2\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Multiply 2 and 1 to get 2\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "So now the expression breaks down into two parts\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x+=+%283+%2B+11%29%2F2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x+=+%283+%2B+11%29%2F2\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > or <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x+=+%283+-+11%29%2F2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x+=+%283+-+11%29%2F2\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Lets look at the first part:\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x=%283+%2B+11%29%2F2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x=%283+%2B+11%29%2F2\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x=14%2F2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x=14%2F2\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Add the terms in the numerator\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x=7 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x=7\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Divide\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "So one answer is\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x=7 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x=7\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Now lets look at the second part:\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x=%283+-+11%29%2F2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x=%283+-+11%29%2F2\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x=-8%2F2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x=-8%2F2\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Subtract the terms in the numerator\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x=-4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x=-4\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Divide\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "So another answer is\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x=-4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x=-4\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "So our solutions are:\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x=7 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x=7\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > or <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x=-4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x=-4\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Notice when we graph <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x%5E2-3%2Ax-28 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x%5E2-3%2Ax-28\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >, we get:\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=+graph%28+500%2C+500%2C+-14%2C+17%2C+-14%2C+17%2C1%2Ax%5E2%2B-3%2Ax%2B-28%29+ ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"+graph%28+500%2C+500%2C+-14%2C+17%2C+-14%2C+17%2C1%2Ax%5E2%2B-3%2Ax%2B-28%29+\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "and we can see that the roots are <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x=7 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x=7\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > and <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x=-4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x=-4\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >. This verifies our answer<BR>\n" );
document.write( " </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );