Question

Use the quadratic formula to solve. Show your work. Then describe the solution

Answer 1

The answer to your question is x₁ = 4 and x₂ = -3/2

Explanation:

Data

2x² - 5x - 12

Process

1.- Find a, b and c

a = 2 b = -5 c = -12

2.- Substitute in the quadratic formula

x =
`\frac{-b +- \sqrt{b^(2) -4ac}}{2a}`

x =
`\frac{-(-5) +- \sqrt{(-5)^(2) -4(2)(-12)}}{2(2)}`

-Simplify

x =
`\frac{5 +- \sqrt{5^(2) + 4(2)(12)}}{4}`

x =
`(5 +- √(25 + 96))/(4)`

x =
`(5 +- √(121))/(4)`

x =
`(5 +- 11)/(4)`

-Find x₁ and x₂

x₁ =
`(5 + 11)/(4) = (16)/(4) = 4`

x₂ =
`(5 - 11)/(4)` =
`(-6)/(4) = (-3)/(2)`