Chapter 9: Problem 69
Solve each equation. Give both the exact answer and a decimal approximation to the nearest tenth. $$x^{2}+1=-4 x$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
\(x = -2 + \sqrt{3}, -2 - \sqrt{3}\) (exact) and \(x \approx -0.3, -3.7\) (approximate to the nearest tenth)
Step by step solution
01
Rewrite the given equation in the standard form
The standard form of a quadratic equation is \( ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \). Our equation can be rewritten as \( x^2 + 4x + 1 = 0 \) by adding \(4x\) and subtracting \(1\) from both sides.
02
Identify the values of \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\)
The coefficient of \(x^2\) is \(a\), the coefficient of \(x\) is \(b\), and the constant term is \(c\). Comparing \(x^2 + 4x + 1 = 0\) with the general form, we find \(a = 1\), \(b = 4\), and \(c = 1\).
03
Substitute \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\) into the quadratic formula
Substituting these values into the quadratic formula gives us \(x = \frac{-4\pm\sqrt{(4)^2 - 4(1)(1)}}{2*1}\). This simplifies to \(x = \frac{-4\pm\sqrt{16 - 4}}{2}\).
04
Calculate the two possible values for \(x\)
After simplifying, we find that the two possible values for \(x\) are: \(x = \frac{-4+\sqrt{12}}{2}\) and \(x = \frac{-4-\sqrt{12}}{2}\). We simplify these more to find that the exact answers are \(x = -2 + \sqrt{3}\) and \(x = -2 - \sqrt{3}\).
05
Convert the exact answers to decimal approximations
The value of \(\sqrt{3}\) is approximately 1.7320508075689. So, the decimal approximations of the two exact values are: \(x_1 = -2 + 1.7320508075689 \approx -0.3\), and \(x_2 = -2 - 1.7320508075689 \approx -3.7\). But, as we need to round up to the nearest tenth. The final decimal approximations are \(x_1 \approx -0.3\) and \(x_2 \approx -3.7\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Standard Form
Quadratic equations are often easier to solve when they are in a neat and orderly arrangement known as the standard form. If you've ever worked with quadratic equations, you've likely encountered something like this: \[ ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \] Think of the standard form as a tidy way to see all the parts of a quadratic equation in one place. Here, 'a', 'b', and 'c' are constants where:
- 'a' is the coefficient of \( x^2 \), which shouldn't be zero,
- 'b' is the coefficient of \( x \), and
- 'c' is the constant term.
Quadratic Formula
Once an equation is in the standard form, the quadratic formula comes into play. This formula is a tool that provides the solutions for quadratic equations. The quadratic formula looks like this: \[ x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \] The "\( \pm \)" sign means there are often two solutions. These represent different possible solutions for 'x'. In our example, plugging \( a = 1 \), \( b = 4 \), and \( c = 1 \) into the formula gives: \[ x = \frac{-4 \pm \sqrt{4^2 - 4 \times 1 \times 1}}{2 \times 1} \] Simplifying this helps us find the exact values of 'x', using simple mathematics.
Decimal Approximation
Finding exact solutions is crucial, but sometimes having a decimal approximation is just as useful. It makes it easier to grasp the size of a number, especially when you encounter square roots or fractions. When simplifying, you might end up with expressions like \(-2 + \sqrt{3}\). To transform these, you use the approximate value of the square root, such as \( \sqrt{3} \approx 1.732 \). For our example:
- \( x_1 = -2 + 1.732 \approx -0.3 \)
- \( x_2 = -2 - 1.732 \approx -3.7 \)