| Let's use the quadratic formula to solve for x: 
 
 Starting with the general quadratic
 
 
 
  
 
 the general solution using the quadratic equation is:
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 So lets solve
  ( notice  ,  , and  ) 
 
 
 
 
 
  Plug in a=1, b=-10, and c=16 
 
 
 
 
  Negate -10 to get 10 
 
 
 
 
  Square -10 to get 100  (note: remember when you square -10, you must square the negative as well. This is because  .) 
 
 
 
 
  Multiply  to get  
 
 
 
 
  Combine like terms in the radicand (everything under the square root) 
 
 
 
 
  Simplify the square root (note: If you need help with simplifying the square root, check out this  solver) 
 
 
 
 
  Multiply 2 and 1 to get 2 
 
 So now the expression breaks down into two parts
 
 
 
  or  
 
 Lets look at the first part:
 
 
 
  
 
 
  Add the terms in the numerator 
 
  Divide 
 
 So one answer is
 
 
  
 
 
 
 Now lets look at the second part:
 
 
 
  
 
 
  Subtract the terms in the numerator 
 
  Divide 
 
 So another answer is
 
 
  
 
 So our solutions are:
 
 
  or  
 
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