Question

Solve.

x^2+5x−2=0

Enter your answers as exact values.

Answer 1

The polynomial is not factorable, so we use the quadratic formula.

x^2 + 5x − 2 = 0

`x = (-b \pm √(b^2 - 4ac))/(2a)`

`x = (-5 \pm √(5^2 - 4(1)(-2)))/(2(1))`

`x = (-5 \pm √(25 + 8))/(2)`

`x = (-5 \pm √(33))/(2)`

`x = (-5 + √(33))/(2)~~or~~x = (-5 - √(33))/(2)`

`x = -(5)/(2) + (√(33))/(2)~~or~~x = -(5)/(2) - (√(33))/(2)`