Algebra Question

Question

Solve for x: 2x² + 3x - 8 = 0 The solution contains a fraction ± another fraction with a radical numerator. What is this fraction with a radical numerator?

(A) ± (√41)/(4)

(B) ± (√73)/(4)

(C) ± (√-55)/(4)

(D) ± (√17)/(4)

(E) None of the above

For this I got (B) ± (√73)/(4), is this correct?

Answer 1

For this quadratic, a = 2, b = 3, and c = -8

Use the quadratic formula to find the solutions: (-b +/- sqrt(b²-4ac)) / 2a

x = (-3 +/- sqrt(3² - 4(2)(-8)) / 2(2)

x = (-3 +/- sqrt(73) / 4

Since sqrt(73) cannot be simplified, your answer should be correct.

Answer 2

The full answer to the question would be (-3 ± √73)/4. Since we an separate into two fractions, B would be our correct answer for the fraction containing the radical. For future reference, make sure to always superscript the x² to avoid confusion. Excellent job though with the question.