You can put this solution on YOUR website!
This is a quadratic equation (because of the ) so we'll start by getting one side equal to zero. Subtract 98 from each side:
Now we can solve this either by factoring or by using the quadratic formula. This one factors pretty easily so we'll use that method. Always start factoring by factoring out the Greatest Common Factor, GCF (unless it is a 1). The GCF here is 2:
The other factor is, as I hope you will see, a difference of squares which will factor according to the pattern: .
The only way for this product (multiplication) to be zero is if one of the factors is zero (Zero Product Property). A 2 cannot be zero but (5y+7) and (5y-7) could so we solve these equations to find what values of y make them zero:
5y+7 = 0 or 5y-7 = 0
5y = -7 or 5y = 7
y = -7/5 or y = 7/5
These are the two solutions to your equation.
(