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Solve for x (complex solution)
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-x^{2}-2x+1=6
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}-2x+1-6=6-6
Subtract 6 from both sides of the equation.
-x^{2}-2x+1-6=0
Subtracting 6 from itself leaves 0.
-x^{2}-2x-5=0
Subtract 6 from 1.
x=\frac{-\left(-2\right)±\sqrt{\left(-2\right)^{2}-4\left(-1\right)\left(-5\right)}}{2\left(-1\right)}
This equation is in standard form: ax^{2}+bx+c=0. Substitute -1 for a, -2 for b, and -5 for c in the quadratic formula, \frac{-b±\sqrt{b^{2}-4ac}}{2a}.
x=\frac{-\left(-2\right)±\sqrt{4-4\left(-1\right)\left(-5\right)}}{2\left(-1\right)}
Square -2.
x=\frac{-\left(-2\right)±\sqrt{4+4\left(-5\right)}}{2\left(-1\right)}
Multiply -4 times -1.
x=\frac{-\left(-2\right)±\sqrt{4-20}}{2\left(-1\right)}
Multiply 4 times -5.
x=\frac{-\left(-2\right)±\sqrt{-16}}{2\left(-1\right)}
Add 4 to -20.
x=\frac{-\left(-2\right)±4i}{2\left(-1\right)}
Take the square root of -16.
x=\frac{2±4i}{2\left(-1\right)}
The opposite of -2 is 2.
x=\frac{2±4i}{-2}
Multiply 2 times -1.
x=\frac{2+4i}{-2}
Now solve the equation x=\frac{2±4i}{-2} when ± is plus. Add 2 to 4i.
x=-1-2i
Divide 2+4i by -2.
x=\frac{2-4i}{-2}
Now solve the equation x=\frac{2±4i}{-2} when ± is minus. Subtract 4i from 2.
x=-1+2i
Divide 2-4i by -2.
x=-1-2i x=-1+2i
The equation is now solved.
-x^{2}-2x+1=6
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}-2x+1-1=6-1
Subtract 1 from both sides of the equation.
-x^{2}-2x=6-1
Subtracting 1 from itself leaves 0.
-x^{2}-2x=5
Subtract 1 from 6.
\frac{-x^{2}-2x}{-1}=\frac{5}{-1}
Divide both sides by -1.
x^{2}+\left(-\frac{2}{-1}\right)x=\frac{5}{-1}
Dividing by -1 undoes the multiplication by -1.
x^{2}+2x=\frac{5}{-1}
Divide -2 by -1.
x^{2}+2x=-5
Divide 5 by -1.
x^{2}+2x+1^{2}=-5+1^{2}
Divide 2, the coefficient of the x term, by 2 to get 1. Then add the square of 1 to both sides of the equation. This step makes the left hand side of the equation a perfect square.
x^{2}+2x+1=-5+1
Square 1.
x^{2}+2x+1=-4
Add -5 to 1.
\left(x+1\right)^{2}=-4
Factor x^{2}+2x+1. 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+1\right)^{2}}=\sqrt{-4}
Take the square root of both sides of the equation.
x+1=2i x+1=-2i
Simplify.
x=-1+2i x=-1-2i
Subtract 1 from both sides of the equation.