ffind the rootsof the quadratric equation using the quadratic formula

Question

x^2-5x+3=0 please show work if possible so i can better understand, thanks

Answer 1

Hi Jennifer.

 

The quadratic formula has the form

 

-b +or- sqrt(b²-4ac)

-----------------------

       2a

 

For your quadratic equation, a=1, b=-5, c=3

 

So plug these in, then the trick is to simplify correctly!

You MUST deal with the sqrt first.

 

5 +or- sqrt[25-(4)(1)(3)]

-----------------------------

            2(1)

 

You MUST take care of the square root before you can do anything else, so I will focus on it here:

 

sqrt[25-12] = sqrt(13) which does not simplify.

 

Putting this back into the quadratic formula, it becomes

 

x=(5/2) +or- [sqrt(13)]/2

 

 

or you can leave it as one fraction:

       

        5 +or- sqrt(13)

x = --------------------------

                2