Solve for x by isolating x^2 then taking the square root of both sides: 0 = -5x^2 + 250

Question

Q. Solve for x by isolating x^2 then taking the square root of both sides: 0 = -5x^2 + 250

 

Thank you~ 

Answer 1

0 = -5x² + 250

 

5x² = 250   (5x^2 to both sides)

 

x² = 25   (divide both sides by 5)

 

x = +5 or x=-5  (a positive number has both a positive and negative square root)

 

Note there are a few different ways to solve this equation including:

 

x² - 25 = 0

 

(x-5)(x+5) = 0 (difference of squares)

 

x-5 = 0 or x+5=0 (zero product property)

 

x=5  or x= -5