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\frac{1}{10}x^{2}-\frac{3}{2}x+5=0
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=\frac{-\left(-\frac{3}{2}\right)±\sqrt{\left(-\frac{3}{2}\right)^{2}-4\times \frac{1}{10}\times 5}}{2\times \frac{1}{10}}
This equation is in standard form: ax^{2}+bx+c=0. Substitute \frac{1}{10} for a, -\frac{3}{2} for b, and 5 for c in the quadratic formula, \frac{-b±\sqrt{b^{2}-4ac}}{2a}.
x=\frac{-\left(-\frac{3}{2}\right)±\sqrt{\frac{9}{4}-4\times \frac{1}{10}\times 5}}{2\times \frac{1}{10}}
Square -\frac{3}{2} by squaring both the numerator and the denominator of the fraction.
x=\frac{-\left(-\frac{3}{2}\right)±\sqrt{\frac{9}{4}-\frac{2}{5}\times 5}}{2\times \frac{1}{10}}
Multiply -4 times \frac{1}{10}.
x=\frac{-\left(-\frac{3}{2}\right)±\sqrt{\frac{9}{4}-2}}{2\times \frac{1}{10}}
Multiply -\frac{2}{5} times 5.
x=\frac{-\left(-\frac{3}{2}\right)±\sqrt{\frac{1}{4}}}{2\times \frac{1}{10}}
Add \frac{9}{4} to -2.
x=\frac{-\left(-\frac{3}{2}\right)±\frac{1}{2}}{2\times \frac{1}{10}}
Take the square root of \frac{1}{4}.
x=\frac{\frac{3}{2}±\frac{1}{2}}{2\times \frac{1}{10}}
The opposite of -\frac{3}{2} is \frac{3}{2}.
x=\frac{\frac{3}{2}±\frac{1}{2}}{\frac{1}{5}}
Multiply 2 times \frac{1}{10}.
x=\frac{2}{\frac{1}{5}}
Now solve the equation x=\frac{\frac{3}{2}±\frac{1}{2}}{\frac{1}{5}} when ± is plus. Add \frac{3}{2} to \frac{1}{2} by finding a common denominator and adding the numerators. Then reduce the fraction to lowest terms if possible.
x=10
Divide 2 by \frac{1}{5} by multiplying 2 by the reciprocal of \frac{1}{5}.
x=\frac{1}{\frac{1}{5}}
Now solve the equation x=\frac{\frac{3}{2}±\frac{1}{2}}{\frac{1}{5}} when ± is minus. Subtract \frac{1}{2} from \frac{3}{2} by finding a common denominator and subtracting the numerators. Then reduce the fraction to lowest terms if possible.
x=5
Divide 1 by \frac{1}{5} by multiplying 1 by the reciprocal of \frac{1}{5}.
x=10 x=5
The equation is now solved.
\frac{1}{10}x^{2}-\frac{3}{2}x+5=0
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.
\frac{1}{10}x^{2}-\frac{3}{2}x+5-5=-5
Subtract 5 from both sides of the equation.
\frac{1}{10}x^{2}-\frac{3}{2}x=-5
Subtracting 5 from itself leaves 0.
\frac{\frac{1}{10}x^{2}-\frac{3}{2}x}{\frac{1}{10}}=-\frac{5}{\frac{1}{10}}
Multiply both sides by 10.
x^{2}+\left(-\frac{\frac{3}{2}}{\frac{1}{10}}\right)x=-\frac{5}{\frac{1}{10}}
Dividing by \frac{1}{10} undoes the multiplication by \frac{1}{10}.
x^{2}-15x=-\frac{5}{\frac{1}{10}}
Divide -\frac{3}{2} by \frac{1}{10} by multiplying -\frac{3}{2} by the reciprocal of \frac{1}{10}.
x^{2}-15x=-50
Divide -5 by \frac{1}{10} by multiplying -5 by the reciprocal of \frac{1}{10}.
x^{2}-15x+\left(-\frac{15}{2}\right)^{2}=-50+\left(-\frac{15}{2}\right)^{2}
Divide -15, the coefficient of the x term, by 2 to get -\frac{15}{2}. Then add the square of -\frac{15}{2} to both sides of the equation. This step makes the left hand side of the equation a perfect square.
x^{2}-15x+\frac{225}{4}=-50+\frac{225}{4}
Square -\frac{15}{2} by squaring both the numerator and the denominator of the fraction.
x^{2}-15x+\frac{225}{4}=\frac{25}{4}
Add -50 to \frac{225}{4}.
\left(x-\frac{15}{2}\right)^{2}=\frac{25}{4}
Factor x^{2}-15x+\frac{225}{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}.
\sqrt{\left(x-\frac{15}{2}\right)^{2}}=\sqrt{\frac{25}{4}}
Take the square root of both sides of the equation.
x-\frac{15}{2}=\frac{5}{2} x-\frac{15}{2}=-\frac{5}{2}
Simplify.
x=10 x=5
Add \frac{15}{2} to both sides of the equation.