How do you solve x^2 - 2x - 3 = 0x22x3=0 using the quadratic formula?

1 Answer
Jun 12, 2015

the solutions are
color(green)(x= 3 x=3
color(green)( x=-1x=1

Explanation:

x^2 - 2x - 3 = 0x22x3=0

The equation is of the form color(blue)(ax^2+bx+c=0ax2+bx+c=0 where:
a=1, b=-2, c=-3a=1,b=2,c=3

The Discriminant is given by:
Delta=b^2-(4*a*c)

= (-2)^2-(4*1*(-3))
= 4 + 12= 16

As Delta>0 there are two solutions,

The solutions are found using the formula
x=(-b+-sqrtDelta)/(2*a)

As Delta = 16, x = (-(-2)+-sqrt(16))/(2*1) = (2+-4)/2

the solutions are
color(green)(x= 6/2 = 3
color(green)( x=-2/2=-1