document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=118752>Question 118752</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Please help with this problem   3x^2 + x -4 = 0 What is the solution set ?\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Thank you  </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #86881 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=86881\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> 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=3%2Ax%5E2%2Bx-4=0 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"3%2Ax%5E2%2Bx-4=0\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > ( notice <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=a=3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"a=3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >, <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=b=1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"b=1\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >, and <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=c=-4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"c=-4\"   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+=+%28-1+%2B-+sqrt%28+%281%29%5E2-4%2A3%2A-4+%29%29%2F%282%2A3%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x+=+%28-1+%2B-+sqrt%28+%281%29%5E2-4%2A3%2A-4+%29%29%2F%282%2A3%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Plug in a=3, b=1, and c=-4\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+=+%28-1+%2B-+sqrt%28+1-4%2A3%2A-4+%29%29%2F%282%2A3%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x+=+%28-1+%2B-+sqrt%28+1-4%2A3%2A-4+%29%29%2F%282%2A3%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Square 1 to get 1  \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+=+%28-1+%2B-+sqrt%28+1%2B48+%29%29%2F%282%2A3%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x+=+%28-1+%2B-+sqrt%28+1%2B48+%29%29%2F%282%2A3%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Multiply <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-4%2A-4%2A3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-4%2A-4%2A3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > to get <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=48 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"48\"   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+=+%28-1+%2B-+sqrt%28+49+%29%29%2F%282%2A3%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x+=+%28-1+%2B-+sqrt%28+49+%29%29%2F%282%2A3%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+=+%28-1+%2B-+7%29%2F%282%2A3%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x+=+%28-1+%2B-+7%29%2F%282%2A3%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+=+%28-1+%2B-+7%29%2F6 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x+=+%28-1+%2B-+7%29%2F6\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Multiply 2 and 3 to get 6\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+=+%28-1+%2B+7%29%2F6 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x+=+%28-1+%2B+7%29%2F6\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > or <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x+=+%28-1+-+7%29%2F6 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x+=+%28-1+-+7%29%2F6\"   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=%28-1+%2B+7%29%2F6 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x=%28-1+%2B+7%29%2F6\"   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=6%2F6 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x=6%2F6\"   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=1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x=1\"   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=1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x=1\"   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=%28-1+-+7%29%2F6 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x=%28-1+-+7%29%2F6\"   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%2F6 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x=-8%2F6\"   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%2F3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x=-4%2F3\"   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%2F3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x=-4%2F3\"   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=1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x=1\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > or <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x=-4%2F3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x=-4%2F3\"   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=3%2Ax%5E2%2Bx-4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"3%2Ax%5E2%2Bx-4\"   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+11%2C+-14%2C+11%2C3%2Ax%5E2%2B1%2Ax%2B-4%29+ ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"+graph%28+500%2C+500%2C+-14%2C+11%2C+-14%2C+11%2C3%2Ax%5E2%2B1%2Ax%2B-4%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=1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x=1\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > and <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x=-4%2F3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x=-4%2F3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >. This verifies our answer\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( " </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );