Question 449377
We are trying to solve:  {{{x^2 = -14x - 40}}}

First, bring the terms on the right side of the equation to the left side by doing the opposite (add 14x and add 40 to both sides):

{{{x^2 + 14x + 40 = 0}}}

Now, try to factor the above expression. Since 40 = 10 * 4 and 10 + 4 = 14 (the middle term), the expression above factors into the following:

(x + 10)(x + 4) = 0

Next, we have x + 10 = 0 OR x + 4 = 0, so x = -10 or x = -4.

The solutions are -4 and -10.