Question

Proximate the real zeros of f(x)=x^2+5x+3 to the nearest tenth The zeros are about and about

Answer 1

x = sqrt(13)/2 - 5/2 or x = -5/2 - sqrt(13)/2

or decimal -0.69722436226800535344038936626475202687435171307737689364

Explanation:

Solve for x:

x^2 + 5 x + 3 = 0

Subtract 3 from both sides:

x^2 + 5 x = -3

Add 25/4 to both sides:

x^2 + 5 x + 25/4 = 13/4

Write the left hand side as a square:

(x + 5/2)^2 = 13/4

Take the square root of both sides:

x + 5/2 = sqrt(13)/2 or x + 5/2 = -sqrt(13)/2

Subtract 5/2 from both sides:

x = sqrt(13)/2 - 5/2 or x + 5/2 = -sqrt(13)/2

Subtract 5/2 from both sides:

Answer: x = sqrt(13)/2 - 5/2 or x = -5/2 - sqrt(13)/2