Question 250852
"Find both roots of the following equation to the nearest tenth.
 (a+3)(squared)+(a-3)(squared)=256."
:
{{{(a+3)^2 + (a-3)^2}}} = {{{256}}}
FOIL
{{{a^2 + 6a + 9 + a^2 - 6a + 9 = 256}}}
Combine like terms
{{{a^2 + a^2 + 6a - 6a + 9 + 9 = 256}}}
{{{2a^2 + 18 = 256}}}
{{{2a^2 = 256 - 18}}}
{{{2a^2 = 238}}}
{{{a^2 = 238/2}}}
{{{a^2 = 119}}}
a = +/-{{{sqrt(119)}}}
a = +10.9
a = -10.9
;
:
Check solution in original equation
13.9^2 + 7.9^2 = 255.6 ~ 256