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Solve for x (complex solution)
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-x^{2}-4x-6=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(-4\right)±\sqrt{\left(-4\right)^{2}-4\left(-1\right)\left(-6\right)}}{2\left(-1\right)}
This equation is in standard form: ax^{2}+bx+c=0. Substitute -1 for a, -4 for b, and -6 for c in the quadratic formula, \frac{-b±\sqrt{b^{2}-4ac}}{2a}.
x=\frac{-\left(-4\right)±\sqrt{16-4\left(-1\right)\left(-6\right)}}{2\left(-1\right)}
Square -4.
x=\frac{-\left(-4\right)±\sqrt{16+4\left(-6\right)}}{2\left(-1\right)}
Multiply -4 times -1.
x=\frac{-\left(-4\right)±\sqrt{16-24}}{2\left(-1\right)}
Multiply 4 times -6.
x=\frac{-\left(-4\right)±\sqrt{-8}}{2\left(-1\right)}
Add 16 to -24.
x=\frac{-\left(-4\right)±2\sqrt{2}i}{2\left(-1\right)}
Take the square root of -8.
x=\frac{4±2\sqrt{2}i}{2\left(-1\right)}
The opposite of -4 is 4.
x=\frac{4±2\sqrt{2}i}{-2}
Multiply 2 times -1.
x=\frac{4+2\sqrt{2}i}{-2}
Now solve the equation x=\frac{4±2\sqrt{2}i}{-2} when ± is plus. Add 4 to 2i\sqrt{2}.
x=-\sqrt{2}i-2
Divide 4+2i\sqrt{2} by -2.
x=\frac{-2\sqrt{2}i+4}{-2}
Now solve the equation x=\frac{4±2\sqrt{2}i}{-2} when ± is minus. Subtract 2i\sqrt{2} from 4.
x=-2+\sqrt{2}i
Divide 4-2i\sqrt{2} by -2.
x=-\sqrt{2}i-2 x=-2+\sqrt{2}i
The equation is now solved.
-x^{2}-4x-6=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.
-x^{2}-4x-6-\left(-6\right)=-\left(-6\right)
Add 6 to both sides of the equation.
-x^{2}-4x=-\left(-6\right)
Subtracting -6 from itself leaves 0.
-x^{2}-4x=6
Subtract -6 from 0.
\frac{-x^{2}-4x}{-1}=\frac{6}{-1}
Divide both sides by -1.
x^{2}+\left(-\frac{4}{-1}\right)x=\frac{6}{-1}
Dividing by -1 undoes the multiplication by -1.
x^{2}+4x=\frac{6}{-1}
Divide -4 by -1.
x^{2}+4x=-6
Divide 6 by -1.
x^{2}+4x+2^{2}=-6+2^{2}
Divide 4, the coefficient of the x term, by 2 to get 2. Then add the square of 2 to both sides of the equation. This step makes the left hand side of the equation a perfect square.
x^{2}+4x+4=-6+4
Square 2.
x^{2}+4x+4=-2
Add -6 to 4.
\left(x+2\right)^{2}=-2
Factor x^{2}+4x+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+2\right)^{2}}=\sqrt{-2}
Take the square root of both sides of the equation.
x+2=\sqrt{2}i x+2=-\sqrt{2}i
Simplify.
x=-2+\sqrt{2}i x=-\sqrt{2}i-2
Subtract 2 from both sides of the equation.