Question

Solve for x .
2x² - 17x+31 = (x - 5)²

Answer 1

x = 1 , x = 6

Explanation:

2x² - 17x + 31 = (x - 5)² ← expand using FOIL

2x² - 17x + 31 = x² - 10x + 25 ( subtract x² - 10x + 25 from both sides )

x² - 7x + 6 = 0 ← in standard form

(x - 1)(x - 6) = 0 ← in factored form

equate each factor to zero and solve for x

x - 1 = 0 ⇒ x = 1

x - 6 = 0 ⇒ x = 6