Question 245438
Hello, 
When we are dealing with equations that have x to a power in this case to the 2nd power we need to get everything to one side of the equal sign. For this one we add 17x and 6 to both sides like this:
5x^2+17x+6=-17x+17x-6+6  This turns out to be:
5x^2+17x+6=0 Now we can factor (factor simply means two numbers multiplied)
(5x+2)(x+3)=0 When you multiply these two, we get 5x^2+17x+6=0  
Now we can set up this:
x+3=0 Subtract 3 from both sides so x=-3
5x+2=0 Subtract 2 and divide by 5 gives us:
x=-2/5
So we get two answers. 
X=-3 and x=-2/5 
Plug the answer into the original equation and it will work out.
Does this help you? 
I suggest you get the book "Unlock the Mystery to Math" at www.math-unlock.com
It goes over the very basics of math in easy to read form. 
RJ toftness