How do you solve 14 x ^2+ 57x + 28 = 0?

2 Answers
Oct 9, 2015

x=-7/2 and x=-4/7 are the two solutions. They can be found by the quadratic formula, by factoring, or by completing the square.

Explanation:

(1) For 14x^2+57x+28=0, the quadratic formula gives:

x=(-57pm sqrt(57^2-4*14*28))/(2*14)=(-57pm sqrt(3249-1568))/28

=(-57pm sqrt(1681))/28=(-57 pm 41)/28

Now (-57+41)/28=-16/28=-4/7 and (-57-41)/28=-98/28=-7/2.

(2) Factoring can also be done as follows:

14x^2+57x+28=0\rightarrow (2x+7)(7x+4)=0, which leads to the same answers.

(3) Completing the square can be done as follows. Note that 3249/784=(57/28)^2.

14x^2+57x+28=0\rightarrow 14(x^2+57/14 x+3249/784)+28=14*3249/784

\rightarrow 14(x+57/28)^2=1681/56\rightarrow (x+57/28)^2=1681/784

\rightarrow x+57/28=pm sqrt(1681/784)= pm 41/28

\rightarrow x=(-57pm 41)/28

As above, (-57+41)/28=-16/28=-4/7 and (-57-41)/28=-98/28=-7/2.

Oct 9, 2015

Solve: y = 14x^2 + 57x + 28 = 0 (1)

Ans x= -4/7 and x = -7/2

Explanation:

I use the new Transforming Method (Socratic Search)
Transformed equation: y' = x^2 + 57x + 392 = 0 (2).
Both roots are negative. Factor pairs of (392) --> (-2, -196)(-4, -98)(-8, -49). This sum is -57 = -b. Then the 2 real roots of (2) are: -8 and -49.
Therefor, the 2 real roots of original equation (1) are: x1 = -8/14 = -4/7 and x2 = -49/14 = -7/2.

NOTE . Solving by this Transforming Method is simpler and faster because it avoids the lengthy factoring by grouping, or the boring computation with the formula. In addition, it avoids solving the 2 binomials.