SOLUTION: Please help: Solve for (x) (x-1) (x-3)=-4

Algebra ->  Equations -> SOLUTION: Please help: Solve for (x) (x-1) (x-3)=-4      Log On


   

Question 306197: Please help:
Solve for (x)
(x-1) (x-3)=-4
Found 2 solutions by Fombitz, dabanfield:
Answer by Fombitz(32388) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
%28x-1%29%28x-3%29=-4
Expand the left hand side using FOIL method.
x%5E2-3x-x%2B3=-4
x%5E2-4x%2B3=-4
x%5E2-4x%2B7=0
USe the quadratic formula,
x+=+%28-b+%2B-+sqrt%28+b%5E2-4%2Aa%2Ac+%29%29%2F%282%2Aa%29+
x+=+%28-%28-4%29+%2B-+sqrt%28+4%5E2-4%2A1%2A7+%29%29%2F%282%2A1%29+
x+=+%284+%2B-+sqrt%28+16-28+%29%29%2F%282%29+
x+=+%284+%2B-+sqrt%28+-12%29%29%2F%282%29+
x+=+%284+%2B-+2sqrt%283%29%2Ai%29%2F%282%29+
x+=+2+%2B-+sqrt%283%29%2Ai where i=sqrt%28-1%29

Answer by dabanfield(803) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
(x-1) (x-3)=-4
x^2 - 4x + 3 = -4
x^2 - 4x + 7 = 0
This is a quadratic equation with a = 1, b = -4 and c = 7. Use the quadratic formula to find the solutions.