How do you solve x(x+6)=-2 using the quadratic formula?

1 Answer
Douglas K.
Oct 31, 2017

When given an equation of the form, ax^2+bx+c = 0, one can find the value(s) of x by substituting the values for a, b, and c into the quadratic formula:

x = (-b+-sqrt(b^2-4(a)(c)))/(2a)

Explanation:

The given equation x(x+6)=-2 is not in the form specified in the answer, therefore, we must put it in that form.

Use the distributive property on the left side:

x^2 + 6x = -2

Add 2 to both sides:

x^2 + 6x +2= 0

By observation, a = 1, b = 6, and c = 2

Substitute these values into the quadratic formula:

x = (-6+-sqrt(6^2-4(1)(2)))/(2(1))

x = (-6+-sqrt(36-8))/2

x = (-6+-sqrt(28))/2

x = (-6+-2sqrt7)/2

x = -3+-sqrt7

x = -3-sqrt7 and x = -3+sqrt7

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