Chapter 0: Problem 8
Use the quadratic formula to solve the equations. $$x^{2}-4 x+5=0$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
\( x = 2 + i \) or \( x = 2 - i \)
Step by step solution
01
Identify coefficients
Identify the coefficients in the quadratic equation. The quadratic equation is in the form \[ ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \] For the given equation \[ x^2 - 4x + 5 = 0 \] we have: \[ a = 1, \ b = -4, \ c = 5 \]
02
Write the quadratic formula
The quadratic formula is given by \[ x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \]
03
Substitute the coefficients into the formula
Substitute the values of \( a = 1 \), \( b = -4 \), and \( c = 5 \) into the quadratic formula:\[ x = \frac{-(-4) \pm \sqrt{(-4)^2 - 4(1)(5)}}{2(1)} \]
04
Simplify the equation under the square root
Simplify the expression under the square root:\[ x = \frac{4 \pm \sqrt{16 - 20}}{2} \] which simplifies to\[ x = \frac{4 \pm \sqrt{-4}}{2} \]
05
Simplify the square root
The expression under the square root is \(-4\), which is a negative number. We can write it using imaginary numbers: \[ \sqrt{-4} = 2i \] Thus, we have: \[ x = \frac{4 \pm 2i}{2} \]
06
Finalize the solution
Divide the terms by 2 to simplify:\[ x = 2 \pm i \]
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
solving quadratic equations
Quadratic equations often come in the form: \[ ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \].
An example would be \[x^2 - 4x + 5 = 0 \]. To solve such equations, the quadratic formula is very handy. The formula is: \[ x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \]. Here's how to use it:
An example would be \[x^2 - 4x + 5 = 0 \]. To solve such equations, the quadratic formula is very handy. The formula is: \[ x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \]. Here's how to use it:
- First, identify the coefficients from the quadratic equation. For \[x^2 - 4x + 5\], we have \[a = 1\], \[b = -4\], and \[c = 5\].
- Next, substitute these values into the quadratic formula. So, you get \[ x = \frac{-(-4) \pm \sqrt{(-4)^2 - 4(1)(5)}}{2(1)} \].
- Simplify the equation step by step. Under the square root sign, you simplify \[ \sqrt{16 - 20} \], which gives \[ \sqrt{-4} \]. This means the solution will include imaginary numbers because of the negative sign under the square root.
- Finally, the simplified solution is \[ x = 2 \pm i \].
imaginary numbers
In some quadratic equations, you may encounter imaginary numbers. If you see a negative number under the square root sign, that's your clue. For example, in the equation \[x^2 - 4x + 5 = 0\], after simplifying, you get \[\sqrt{-4}\].
- To handle this, you use the imaginary unit \[i\], where \[i^2 = -1\].
- So, \[ \sqrt{-4} = 2i \].
- This means your equation will have solutions involving imaginary numbers, like \[ x = 2 \pm i \].
quadratic equation coefficients
Quadratic equation coefficients are constants that determine the shape and position of the parabola represented by the equation. Let's dissect them:
- \[ a \]: This is the coefficient in front of \[x^2\]. It affects the parabola's width and direction (if \[a > 0\], it opens upwards; if \[a < 0\], it opens downwards). For \[ x^2 - 4x + 5 = 0 \], \[a = 1\].
- \[ b \]: This coefficient is in front of \[x\]. It affects the position of the vertex along the x-axis. For \[ x^2 - 4x + 5 = 0 \], \[b = -4\].
- \[ c \]: This is the constant term. It affects the position of the parabola along the y-axis. For \[ x^2 - 4x + 5 = 0 \], \[c = 5\].