Question 251829:  x^2+2x+9
 
I have tried x={-2ħsqrt(2^2-4*1*9)}/2*1   
(quadratic formula: x={-bħsqrt( b^2-4ac)}/2(a)) 
Process: 
x={-2ħsqrt(2^2-4*1*9)}/2(1) 
x={-2ħsqrt(4-36)}/2 
x=(-2/2)ħ{sqrt-32/2} 
x=-1ħ(sqrt-32/2)
 
Looking for -1ħ2i*sqrt(2), but I can't get there.  
I need the process to find this imaginary root. 
what am I doing wrong? 
 Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256)      (Show Source): 
You can  put this solution on YOUR website! The trick here lies in simplifying  
 
 
  Start with the given expression 
 
 
 
  Factor out a negative 1
 
 
 
  Break up the square roots using the identity  
 
 
 
  Replace   with   (remember  )
 
 
 
Now lets simplify  :
 
  
 
 
The goal of simplifying expressions with square roots is to factor the radicand into a product of two numbers. One of these two numbers must be a perfect square. When you take the square root of this perfect square, you will get a rational number.
 
 
 
So let's list the factors of 32
 
 
 
Factors:
 
1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32
 
 
 
Notice how 16 is the largest perfect square, so lets factor 32 into 16*2
 
 
 
  Factor 32 into 16*2 
  
  
  
  Break up the square roots using the identity   
  
  
  
  Take the square root of the perfect square 16 to get 4  
  
  
  
This means that the expression   simplifies to  
 
 
 
So the expression   simplifies to   (just reintroduce   back in)
 
 
 
In other words,  
 
 
 
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Going back to  , this expression simplifies to  . From there, it reduces to  
 
 
 
So the solutions are   or   
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