How to solve x ^ 2 - 7x = 12

1. Factor the equation (x + 2)(x + 3) = 0. 2. Set each factor equal to zero: x + 2 = 0 and x + 3 = 0. 3. Solve for x: x = -2 and x = -3.

Solve x ^ 2 - 7x = 12 | Equatix

Question

$$x^{2}-7x=12$$

Solve for x

$x = \frac{\sqrt{97} + 7}{2} \approx 8.424428901$
$x=\frac{7-\sqrt{97}}{2}\approx -1.424428901$

Steps Using the Quadratic Formula

Steps for Completing the Square

Steps Using the Quadratic Formula

All equations of the form $ax^{2}+bx+c=0$ can be solved using the quadratic formula: $\frac{-b±\sqrt{b^{2}-4ac}}{2a}$. The quadratic formula gives two solutions, one when $±$ is addition and one when it is subtraction.

$$x^{2}-7x=12$$

Subtract $12$ from both sides of the equation.

$$x^{2}-7x-12=12-12$$

Subtracting $12$ from itself leaves $0$.

$$x^{2}-7x-12=0$$

This equation is in standard form: $ax^{2}+bx+c=0$. Substitute $1$ for $a$, $-7$ for $b$, and $-12$ for $c$ in the quadratic formula, $\frac{-b±\sqrt{b^{2}-4ac}}{2a}$.

$$x=\frac{-\left(-7\right)±\sqrt{\left(-7\right)^{2}-4\left(-12\right)}}{2}$$

Square $-7$.

$$x=\frac{-\left(-7\right)±\sqrt{49-4\left(-12\right)}}{2}$$

Multiply $-4$ times $-12$.

$$x=\frac{-\left(-7\right)±\sqrt{49+48}}{2}$$

Add $49$ to $48$.

$$x=\frac{-\left(-7\right)±\sqrt{97}}{2}$$

The opposite of $-7$ is $7$.

$$x=\frac{7±\sqrt{97}}{2}$$

Now solve the equation $x=\frac{7±\sqrt{97}}{2}$ when $±$ is plus. Add $7$ to $\sqrt{97}$.

$$x=\frac{\sqrt{97}+7}{2}$$

Now solve the equation $x=\frac{7±\sqrt{97}}{2}$ when $±$ is minus. Subtract $\sqrt{97}$ from $7$.

$$x=\frac{7-\sqrt{97}}{2}$$

The equation is now solved.

$$x=\frac{\sqrt{97}+7}{2}$$ $$x=\frac{7-\sqrt{97}}{2}$$

Steps for Completing the Square

Quadratic equations such as this one can be solved by completing the square. In order to complete the square, the equation must first be in the form $x^{2}+bx=c$.

$$x^{2}-7x=12$$

Divide $-7$, the coefficient of the $x$ term, by $2$ to get $-\frac{7}{2}$. Then add the square of $-\frac{7}{2}$ to both sides of the equation. This step makes the left hand side of the equation a perfect square.

$$x^{2}-7x+\left(-\frac{7}{2}\right)^{2}=12+\left(-\frac{7}{2}\right)^{2}$$

Square $-\frac{7}{2}$ by squaring both the numerator and the denominator of the fraction.

$$x^{2}-7x+\frac{49}{4}=12+\frac{49}{4}$$

Add $12$ to $\frac{49}{4}$.

$$x^{2}-7x+\frac{49}{4}=\frac{97}{4}$$

Factor $x^{2}-7x+\frac{49}{4}$. In general, when $x^{2}+bx+c$ is a perfect square, it can always be factored as $\left(x+\frac{b}{2}\right)^{2}$.

$$\left(x-\frac{7}{2}\right)^{2}=\frac{97}{4}$$

Take the square root of both sides of the equation.

$$\sqrt{\left(x-\frac{7}{2}\right)^{2}}=\sqrt{\frac{97}{4}}$$

Simplify.

$$x-\frac{7}{2}=\frac{\sqrt{97}}{2}$$ $$x-\frac{7}{2}=-\frac{\sqrt{97}}{2}$$

Add $\frac{7}{2}$ to both sides of the equation.

$$x=\frac{\sqrt{97}+7}{2}$$ $$x=\frac{7-\sqrt{97}}{2}$$

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Solve for x

Steps Using the Quadratic Formula

Steps for Completing the Square

Steps Using the Quadratic Formula

Steps for Completing the Square