9514 1404 393
Answer:
x = -1/2, x = 7
Explanation:
Written in standard form, the equation is ...
2x² -13x -7 = 0
We observe that factors of (2)(-7) that have a sum of -13 are -14 and +1. Rewriting the middle term using these numbers, we have ...
2x² -14x +x -7 = 0
2x(x -7) +1(x -7) = 0 . . . . . factor pairs of terms
(2x +1)(x -7) = 0 . . . . . . . . factored form
The solutions are the values of x that make these factors zero.
2x +1 = 0 ⇒ x = -1/2
x -7 = 0 ⇒ x = 7
The solutions to the quadratic are x = -1/2 and x = 7.