im lost on this equation

Question

2x^−20x−2=0 exponent is 2

Answer 1

I assume you want to solve for x.

 

2x² - 20x  - 2 = 0

 

Use the quadratic formula.

 

a = 2

b = -20

c = -2

 

x = [-b ± √(b² - 4ac)] / (2a)

 

Plug in the numbers, evaluate, and get two real solutions for x.

 

Answer 2

Here's another example for follow up

x^17 times x^3

1x^17 times 1x^3

(1)(1) times x^ (17+3)

1x^20

x^20