First, add color(red)(2) to each side of the equation to isolate the x^2 term while keeping the equation balanced:
2x^2 - 2 + color(red)(2) = 6 + color(red)(2)
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, when taking the square root of the number there are two solutions, one negative and one positive:
sqrt(x^2) = +-sqrt(4)
x = +-sqrt(4) = +-2
