How do you solve x^2-10x+16=0 using the quadratic formula?

2 Answers
Mar 20, 2018

x=8 or x=2

Explanation:

We know the Quadratic Formula:

If color(red)(ax^2+bx+c=0) ,

then, color(red)(x=(-b+-sqrt(triangle))/(2a)and triangle=b^2-4ac)

Comparing , color(blue)(x^2-10x+16=0, with quad.equn ,we get

a=1 ,b=-10, c=16

First we find triangle

triangle=(-10)^2-4(1)(16)=100-64=36

=>sqrt(triangle)=sqrt(36)=6

So,

x=(-b+-sqrt(triangle))/(2a)=(-(-10)+-6)/(2(1))=(10+-6)/2

i.e.x=(10+6)/2 or x=(10-6)/2

=>x=16/2 or x=4/2

=>x=8 or x=2

Mar 20, 2018

x = 8,2

Explanation:

Your equation is already in quadratic form, so all we have to do is substitute. The quadratic form is as follows:
ax^2 + bx + c = 0

Your equation looks like this:
x^2 - 10x + 16 = 0

What we are trying to do is find the values of a, b and c. They are located in the same spot in your equation as they are in the quadratic form.

ax^2 + bx + c = 0

(1)x^2 + (-10)x + (16) = 0
a = 1
b = -10
c = 16

Now plug these in to the quadratic formula:
x = (-b \pm sqrt(b^2-4ac)) / (2a)

x = (-(-10) \pm sqrt(-10^2-4(1)(16)))/ (2(1))

x = ((color(red)+10) \pm sqrt(color(red)100-(color(blue)64)))/ (2)

x = (10 \pm sqrt(100-64))/ (2)

x = (10 \pm sqrt(36))/ (2)

x = (10 \pm 6)/ (2)

Now solve by doing addition alone and subtraction alone to get your two values:

x = (10 color(red)+ 6)/ (2) rarr x = (16)/ (2) rarr x = 8

x = (10 color(red)- 6)/ (2) rarr x = 4/2 rarr x = 2

So the solution is x = 8,2