SOLUTION: Solve each equation by using the quadratic formula. 14. -8q^2 - 2q + 1 = 0

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Question 170968: Solve each equation by using the quadratic formula.
14. -8q^2 - 2q + 1 = 0

Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Solved by pluggable solver: Quadratic Formula
Let's use the quadratic formula to solve for q:


Starting with the general quadratic


aq%5E2%2Bbq%2Bc=0


the general solution using the quadratic equation is:


q+=+%28-b+%2B-+sqrt%28+b%5E2-4%2Aa%2Ac+%29%29%2F%282%2Aa%29




So lets solve -8%2Aq%5E2-2%2Aq%2B1=0 ( notice a=-8, b=-2, and c=1)





q+=+%28--2+%2B-+sqrt%28+%28-2%29%5E2-4%2A-8%2A1+%29%29%2F%282%2A-8%29 Plug in a=-8, b=-2, and c=1




q+=+%282+%2B-+sqrt%28+%28-2%29%5E2-4%2A-8%2A1+%29%29%2F%282%2A-8%29 Negate -2 to get 2




q+=+%282+%2B-+sqrt%28+4-4%2A-8%2A1+%29%29%2F%282%2A-8%29 Square -2 to get 4 (note: remember when you square -2, you must square the negative as well. This is because %28-2%29%5E2=-2%2A-2=4.)




q+=+%282+%2B-+sqrt%28+4%2B32+%29%29%2F%282%2A-8%29 Multiply -4%2A1%2A-8 to get 32




q+=+%282+%2B-+sqrt%28+36+%29%29%2F%282%2A-8%29 Combine like terms in the radicand (everything under the square root)




q+=+%282+%2B-+6%29%2F%282%2A-8%29 Simplify the square root (note: If you need help with simplifying the square root, check out this solver)




q+=+%282+%2B-+6%29%2F-16 Multiply 2 and -8 to get -16


So now the expression breaks down into two parts


q+=+%282+%2B+6%29%2F-16 or q+=+%282+-+6%29%2F-16


Lets look at the first part:


x=%282+%2B+6%29%2F-16


q=8%2F-16 Add the terms in the numerator

q=-1%2F2 Divide


So one answer is

q=-1%2F2




Now lets look at the second part:


x=%282+-+6%29%2F-16


q=-4%2F-16 Subtract the terms in the numerator

q=1%2F4 Divide


So another answer is

q=1%2F4


So our solutions are:

q=-1%2F2 or q=1%2F4