Question 10566
I think this is what you need:


Step 1:  Simplify the radical.


Step 2:  Factor the numerator.


Step 3:  Reduce the fraction.


I'll illustrate with your own example:{{{x^2 -8x-3 = 0}}}

You come up with x = {{{ (8+-sqrt(76))/2 }}}


Step 1:  Simplify!
{{{ (8 +-sqrt(4)*sqrt(19))/2}}}
{{{ (8+- 2 *sqrt(19)) /2 }}}


Step 2:  Factor!
{{{(2(4+-sqrt(19)))/2}}}


Step 3:  Reduce!
{{{4+-sqrt(19)}}}


R^2 at SCC