How do you solve the quadratic -4-2p^2=-40 using any method?

1 Answer
Alan P.
May 3, 2017

p=-3sqrt(2)color(white)("XX")orcolor(white)("XX")p=+3sqrt(2)

Explanation:

Given
color(white)("XXX")-4-2p^2=-40

Simplify by multiplying everything on both sides by (-1)
color(white)("XXX")4+2p^2=40

Subtract 4 from both sides
color(white)("XXX")2p^2=36

Divide both sides by 2
color(white)("XXX")p^2=18

Take the square root (giving both a positive and a negative possible solution)
color(white)("XXX")p=+-sqrt(18)=+-3sqrt(2)

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