SOLUTION: There are certain steps I must follow to do this equation, This is an assignment. I have never taken algebra before but have gotten comments that this is different then most are u

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Question 925174: There are certain steps I must follow to do this equation, This is an assignment. I have never taken algebra before but have gotten comments that this is different then most are used too.
The equation is: x2 - 2x -13 =0
the 1st step is to move the constant to the right and I did that.x2-2x=13
2nd step:multiply each term in the equation by 4times the coefficient of the x2 term. and I did that: 4x2 -8x = 52
3rd step square the coefficient of the original x term and add it to both sides of the equation, and I did that too: 4x2 -8x +4 = 52 + 4
4th step and the one I am stuck on is take the square root of both sides. I am not sure if I get a sum from the terms 4x2 -8 +4 and find a square root, I am just unsure of how to find the square root of these numbers
Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The exercise assignment is justified for an Algebra student, but is not a reasonable exercise for someone who never took Algebra before. How would you know how to factorize a trinomial quadratic expression ( as in your step number 4) without first learning sufficient Algebra?

The description of steps seems to be similar to Completing The Square, but is not the typical method taught.

If you had learned Introductory Algebra, you could study and then understand this lesson: http://www.algebra.com/my/Completing-the-Square-to-Solve-General-Quadratic-Equation.lesson?content_action=show_dev

If you want a visual explanation of Completing The Square, study this lesson:
http://www.algebra.com/my/Completing-the-Square-Using-Pictures.lesson?content_action=show_dev

Neither of those are likely to make any sense until you studied enough Algebra.

The final result of the sequence of steps in your exercise should be:
.