First, subtract #color(red)(8)# from each side of the equation to isolate the #x# term while keeping the equation balanced:
#-2x^2 + 8 - color(red)(8) = 0 - color(red)(8)#
#-2x^2 + 0 = -8#
#-2x^2 = -8#
Next, divide each side of the equation by #color(red)(-2)# to isolate #x^2# while keeping the equation balanced:
#(-2x^2)/color(red)(-2) = (-8)/color(red)(-2)#
#(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(-2)))x^2)/cancel(color(red)(-2)) = 4#
#x^2 = 4#
Now, take the square root of each side of the equation to solve for #x# while keeping the equation balanced. Remember, the square root of a number produces both a negative and positive result:
#sqrt(x^2) = sqrt(4)#
#x = +-2#
