Chapter 11: Problem 49
Solve each quadratic equation by completing the square. \(2 x^{2}+3 x-5=0\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The solutions to the equation are \[x = -\frac{3}{4} ± \frac{\sqrt{59}}{4}\]
Step by step solution
01
Divide by the Coefficient of \(x^2\)
In the given equation, \(2 x^{2}+3 x-5=0\), 2 is the coefficient of \(x^2\). We need to make this coefficient equal to 1. So, divide the entire equation by 2 to get: \[x^{2}+\frac{3}{2}x-\frac{5}{2}=0\]
02
Rearrange to Leave a 'space'
Rearrange the equation to form a perfect square trinomial on the left side, leaving a 'space': \[x^{2}+\frac{3}{2}x= \frac{5}{2} \]
03
Complete the Square
To complete the square, you add the square of half the coefficient of x to both sides of the equation. Half of the coefficient of x in our equation is \(\frac{3}{4}\). Its square is \((\frac{3}{4})^{2}=\frac{9}{16}\). Add \(\frac{9}{16}\) to both sides: \[x^{2}+\frac{3}{2}x+(\frac{3}{4})^{2}= \frac{5}{2}+(\frac{3}{4})^{2}\] which simplifies to: \[(x + \frac{3}{4})^{2} = \frac{59}{16}\]
04
Find the Root
Taking square root on both sides yields: \[x + \frac{3}{4} = ± \frac{\sqrt{59}}{4} \] Solving for x gives the roots of the equation: \[x = -\frac{3}{4} ± \frac{\sqrt{59}}{4}\]
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Quadratic Equations
A quadratic equation is a polynomial equation of degree 2. Its general form is given by \(ax^2 + bx + c = 0\), where \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\) are constants and \(a eq 0\). Quadratic equations can appear in many real-world problems, such as projectile motion, area calculations, and optimization problems.
- Standard Form: The equation should always be written in the form \(ax^2 + bx + c = 0\) before starting to solve it.
- Unique Degree: The highest exponent is 2, which determines that this is indeed a quadratic equation.
- Coefficient of \(x^2\): The term "quadratic" comes from the Latin word "quadrare", meaning square, referring to the \(x^2\) term.
Perfect Square Trinomial
To solve quadratic equations by completing the square, we often try to transform the equation into a perfect square trinomial. A perfect square trinomial is a special kind of quadratic expression that can be written in the form \((x + d)^2\) or \((x - d)^2\). Transforming a quadratic equation into this form makes it easier to solve by taking the square root.Here’s how you create a perfect square trinomial:
- Identify the Middle Term: In the expression \(ax^2 + bx + c\), the middle term \(bx\) is key to creating a perfect square trinomial.
- Divide and Square: Take half of the coefficient of \(x\), divide it by 2, and then square it.
- Add and Balance: Add this squared value inside the equation to create a perfect square trinomial. Make sure to also adjust the right-hand side of the equation accordingly.
Roots of an Equation
The roots of an equation are the values of \(x\) that satisfy the equation \(ax^2 + bx + c = 0\). For a quadratic equation, there can be two real roots, one real root, or two complex roots, depending on the discriminant \(b^2 - 4ac\).To find the roots using the "completing the square" method:
- Transform to Perfect Square: After rearranging the equation into a perfect square trinomial, take the square root of both sides.
- Solve for \(x\): Isolate \(x\) by solving \(x + d = ±\sqrt{k}\) where \(k\) is the value obtained after taking the square root.
- Two Solutions: You will arrive at two potential solutions due to the ± operator.