Final answer:
To solve the given quadratic equation, one must apply the quadratic formula, yielding two roots, of which the positive root is physically meaningful. The solution, using the provided constants, is x = 7.2 x 10⁻², reported in proper scientific notation.
Step-by-step explanation:
In mathematics, particularly in algebra, solving equations often involve finding the values of unknown variables that satisfy the given equation. When faced with a quadratic equation, such as x² + bx + c = 0, the quadratic formula x = −b ± √(b² - 4ac) / (2a) is a useful tool for finding the roots of the equation. In the scenario described by the problem statement, the constants are provided as a = 1, b = 1.2 × 10⁻³, and c = −6.0 × 10⁻³. Substituting these values into the quadratic formula should yield two roots, one of which will be positive, while the other may be negative.
The negative root in such contexts, particularly when dealing with concentrations in chemistry, is not physically meaningful, as negative concentrations are impossible. Hence, the positive root, which is x = 7.2 x 10⁻² in this problem, is taken as the correct solution. It is important to report the results using the proper scientific notation and significant figures, to maintain precision and clarity in the solutions.