Final answer:
The exact solutions of the quadratic equation x² – 5x - 1 = 0 are (5 ± √29) / 2.
Step-by-step explanation:
The quadratic equation x² – 5x - 1 = 0 can be solved using the quadratic formula. For an equation of the form ax² + bx + c = 0, the quadratic formula is:
x = (-b ± √(b² - 4ac)) / (2a)
Substituting the given values, we have:
x = (5 ± √((-5)² - 4(1)(-1))) / (2(1))
Calculating the expression inside the square root:
√(25 + 4) = √29
Therefore, the exact solutions of the quadratic equation are:
x = (5 ± √29) / 2