Solve x^2+85x-300=0

$${ x }^{ 2 } +85x-300=0$$

Solve for x

$$x = \frac{5 \sqrt{337} - 85}{2} \approx 3.393899377$$

$$x=\frac{-5\sqrt{337}-85}{2}\approx -88.393899377$$

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.

$$x^{2}+85x-300=0$$

This equation is in standard form: ax^{2}+bx+c=0. Substitute 1 for a, 85 for b, and -300 for c in the quadratic formula, \frac{-b±\sqrt{b^{2}-4ac}}{2a}.

$$x=\frac{-85±\sqrt{85^{2}-4\left(-300\right)}}{2}$$

Square 85.

$$x=\frac{-85±\sqrt{7225-4\left(-300\right)}}{2}$$

Multiply -4 times -300.

$$x=\frac{-85±\sqrt{7225+1200}}{2}$$

Add 7225 to 1200.

$$x=\frac{-85±\sqrt{8425}}{2}$$

Take the square root of 8425.

$$x=\frac{-85±5\sqrt{337}}{2}$$

Now solve the equation x=\frac{-85±5\sqrt{337}}{2} when ± is plus. Add -85 to 5\sqrt{337}.

$$x=\frac{5\sqrt{337}-85}{2}$$

Now solve the equation x=\frac{-85±5\sqrt{337}}{2} when ± is minus. Subtract 5\sqrt{337} from -85.

$$x=\frac{-5\sqrt{337}-85}{2}$$

The equation is now solved.

$$x=\frac{5\sqrt{337}-85}{2} x=\frac{-5\sqrt{337}-85}{2}$$

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.

$$x^{2}+85x-300=0$$

Add 300 to both sides of the equation.

$$x^{2}+85x-300-\left(-300\right)=-\left(-300\right)$$

Subtracting -300 from itself leaves 0.

$$x^{2}+85x=-\left(-300\right)$$

Subtract -300 from 0.

$$x^{2}+85x=300$$

Divide 85, the coefficient of the x term, by 2 to get \frac{85}{2}. Then add the square of \frac{85}{2} to both sides of the equation. This step makes the left hand side of the equation a perfect square.

$$x^{2}+85x+\left(\frac{85}{2}\right)^{2}=300+\left(\frac{85}{2}\right)^{2}$$

Square \frac{85}{2} by squaring both the numerator and the denominator of the fraction.

$$x^{2}+85x+\frac{7225}{4}=300+\frac{7225}{4}$$

Add 300 to \frac{7225}{4}.

$$x^{2}+85x+\frac{7225}{4}=\frac{8425}{4}$$

Factor x^{2}+85x+\frac{7225}{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}.

$$\left(x+\frac{85}{2}\right)^{2}=\frac{8425}{4}$$

Take the square root of both sides of the equation.

$$\sqrt{\left(x+\frac{85}{2}\right)^{2}}=\sqrt{\frac{8425}{4}}$$

Simplify.

$$x+\frac{85}{2}=\frac{5\sqrt{337}}{2} x+\frac{85}{2}=-\frac{5\sqrt{337}}{2}$$

Subtract \frac{85}{2} from both sides of the equation.

$$x=\frac{5\sqrt{337}-85}{2} x=\frac{-5\sqrt{337}-85}{2}$$