Solve x^2-16x+172=0

$${ x }^{ 2 } -16x+172=0$$

Solve for x (complex solution)

$$x=8+6\sqrt{3}i\approx 8+10.392304845i$$

$$x=-6\sqrt{3}i+8\approx 8-10.392304845i$$

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.

$$x^{2}-16x+172=0$$

This equation is in standard form: ax^{2}+bx+c=0. Substitute 1 for a, -16 for b, and 172 for c in the quadratic formula, \frac{-b±\sqrt{b^{2}-4ac}}{2a}.

$$x=\frac{-\left(-16\right)±\sqrt{\left(-16\right)^{2}-4\times 172}}{2}$$

Square -16.

$$x=\frac{-\left(-16\right)±\sqrt{256-4\times 172}}{2}$$

Multiply -4 times 172.

$$x=\frac{-\left(-16\right)±\sqrt{256-688}}{2}$$

Add 256 to -688.

$$x=\frac{-\left(-16\right)±\sqrt{-432}}{2}$$

Take the square root of -432.

$$x=\frac{-\left(-16\right)±12\sqrt{3}i}{2}$$

The opposite of -16 is 16.

$$x=\frac{16±12\sqrt{3}i}{2}$$

Now solve the equation x=\frac{16±12\sqrt{3}i}{2} when ± is plus. Add 16 to 12i\sqrt{3}.

$$x=\frac{16+12\sqrt{3}i}{2}$$

Divide 16+12i\sqrt{3} by 2.

$$x=8+6\sqrt{3}i$$

Now solve the equation x=\frac{16±12\sqrt{3}i}{2} when ± is minus. Subtract 12i\sqrt{3} from 16.

$$x=\frac{-12\sqrt{3}i+16}{2}$$

Divide 16-12i\sqrt{3} by 2.

$$x=-6\sqrt{3}i+8$$

The equation is now solved.

$$x=8+6\sqrt{3}i x=-6\sqrt{3}i+8$$

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.

$$x^{2}-16x+172=0$$

Subtract 172 from both sides of the equation.

$$x^{2}-16x+172-172=-172$$

Subtracting 172 from itself leaves 0.

$$x^{2}-16x=-172$$

Divide -16, the coefficient of the x term, by 2 to get -8. Then add the square of -8 to both sides of the equation. This step makes the left hand side of the equation a perfect square.

$$x^{2}-16x+\left(-8\right)^{2}=-172+\left(-8\right)^{2}$$

Square -8.

$$x^{2}-16x+64=-172+64$$

Add -172 to 64.

$$x^{2}-16x+64=-108$$

Factor x^{2}-16x+64. In general, when x^{2}+bx+c is a perfect square, it can always be factored as \left(x+\frac{b}{2}\right)^{2}.

$$\left(x-8\right)^{2}=-108$$

Take the square root of both sides of the equation.

$$\sqrt{\left(x-8\right)^{2}}=\sqrt{-108}$$

Simplify.

$$x-8=6\sqrt{3}i x-8=-6\sqrt{3}i$$

Add 8 to both sides of the equation.

$$x=8+6\sqrt{3}i x=-6\sqrt{3}i+8$$