Question 103811

FIRST OF ALL, YOU NEED TO USE GROUPING SYMBOLS AS YOUR PROFESSOR SUGGESTS.  I HAVE RE-WRITTEN THE FORMULA BELOW USING GROUPING SYMBOLS TO CLARIFY THE OPERATIONS THAT ARE REQUIRED:

x = {-b±√[b2 – 4ac]} / 2a 

SECONDLY, YOU NEED TO GET THE QUADRATIC INTO STANDARD FORM:

x^2 - 3x = 7x -2  SUBTRACT 7X FROM AND ADD 2 TO BOTH SIDES

x^2-3x-7x+2=7x-7x-2+2  COLLECT LIKE TERMS

x^2-10x+2=0---QUADRATIC IN STANDARD FORM (AX^2+BX+C=0)

FROM HERE ON OUT IT'S JUST A MATTER OF PLUGGING IN NUMBERS AND FOLLOWING YOUR PROFESSOR'S INSTRUCTIONS.  YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO HANDLE IT.

Hope this helps----ptaylor