Solve x^2-12x+36=-16

$${ x }^{ 2 } -12x+36=-16$$

Solve for x (complex solution)

$$x=6+4i$$

$$x=6-4i$$

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.

$$x^{2}-12x+36=-16$$

Add 16 to both sides of the equation.

$$x^{2}-12x+36-\left(-16\right)=-16-\left(-16\right)$$

Subtracting -16 from itself leaves 0.

$$x^{2}-12x+36-\left(-16\right)=0$$

Subtract -16 from 36.

$$x^{2}-12x+52=0$$

This equation is in standard form: ax^{2}+bx+c=0. Substitute 1 for a, -12 for b, and 52 for c in the quadratic formula, \frac{-b±\sqrt{b^{2}-4ac}}{2a}.

$$x=\frac{-\left(-12\right)±\sqrt{\left(-12\right)^{2}-4\times 52}}{2}$$

Square -12.

$$x=\frac{-\left(-12\right)±\sqrt{144-4\times 52}}{2}$$

Multiply -4 times 52.

$$x=\frac{-\left(-12\right)±\sqrt{144-208}}{2}$$

Add 144 to -208.

$$x=\frac{-\left(-12\right)±\sqrt{-64}}{2}$$

Take the square root of -64.

$$x=\frac{-\left(-12\right)±8i}{2}$$

The opposite of -12 is 12.

$$x=\frac{12±8i}{2}$$

Now solve the equation x=\frac{12±8i}{2} when ± is plus. Add 12 to 8i.

$$x=\frac{12+8i}{2}$$

Divide 12+8i by 2.

$$x=6+4i$$

Now solve the equation x=\frac{12±8i}{2} when ± is minus. Subtract 8i from 12.

$$x=\frac{12-8i}{2}$$

Divide 12-8i by 2.

$$x=6-4i$$

The equation is now solved.

$$x=6+4i x=6-4i$$

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.

$$x^{2}-12x+36=-16$$

Factor x^{2}-12x+36. In general, when x^{2}+bx+c is a perfect square, it can always be factored as \left(x+\frac{b}{2}\right)^{2}.

$$\left(x-6\right)^{2}=-16$$

Take the square root of both sides of the equation.

$$\sqrt{\left(x-6\right)^{2}}=\sqrt{-16}$$

Simplify.

$$x-6=4i x-6=-4i$$

Add 6 to both sides of the equation.

$$x=6+4i x=6-4i$$