Question 726061
read the following:


There are 3 basic methods, not including the indian method, which can be considered a 4th method not widely used.

1.  factoring
2.  sum of squares
3.  quadratic formula


the one formula that works all the time is the quadratic formula.


this formula can be found here:
<a href = "http://www.purplemath.com/modules/quadform.htm" target = "_blank">http://www.purplemath.com/modules/quadform.htm</a>


to use this formula, you have to convert the quadratic equation into standard form.


standard form is:


ax^2 + bx + c = 0


a is the coefficient of the x^2 term.
b is the coefficient of the x term.
c is the constant term.


once you do that you can find the value of a, b, and c and then plug it into the quadratic formula to get your answer.