Solve -9x^2+72x-102=0

$$-9 { x }^{ 2 } +72x-102 = 0$$

Solve for x

$$x=\frac{\sqrt{42}}{3}+4\approx 6.160246899$$

$$x=-\frac{\sqrt{42}}{3}+4\approx 1.839753101$$

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.

$$-9x^{2}+72x-102=0$$

This equation is in standard form: ax^{2}+bx+c=0. Substitute -9 for a, 72 for b, and -102 for c in the quadratic formula, \frac{-b±\sqrt{b^{2}-4ac}}{2a}.

$$x=\frac{-72±\sqrt{72^{2}-4\left(-9\right)\left(-102\right)}}{2\left(-9\right)}$$

Square 72.

$$x=\frac{-72±\sqrt{5184-4\left(-9\right)\left(-102\right)}}{2\left(-9\right)}$$

Multiply -4 times -9.

$$x=\frac{-72±\sqrt{5184+36\left(-102\right)}}{2\left(-9\right)}$$

Multiply 36 times -102.

$$x=\frac{-72±\sqrt{5184-3672}}{2\left(-9\right)}$$

Add 5184 to -3672.

$$x=\frac{-72±\sqrt{1512}}{2\left(-9\right)}$$

Take the square root of 1512.

$$x=\frac{-72±6\sqrt{42}}{2\left(-9\right)}$$

Multiply 2 times -9.

$$x=\frac{-72±6\sqrt{42}}{-18}$$

Now solve the equation x=\frac{-72±6\sqrt{42}}{-18} when ± is plus. Add -72 to 6\sqrt{42}.

$$x=\frac{6\sqrt{42}-72}{-18}$$

Divide -72+6\sqrt{42} by -18.

$$x=-\frac{\sqrt{42}}{3}+4$$

Now solve the equation x=\frac{-72±6\sqrt{42}}{-18} when ± is minus. Subtract 6\sqrt{42} from -72.

$$x=\frac{-6\sqrt{42}-72}{-18}$$

Divide -72-6\sqrt{42} by -18.

$$x=\frac{\sqrt{42}}{3}+4$$

The equation is now solved.

$$x=-\frac{\sqrt{42}}{3}+4 x=\frac{\sqrt{42}}{3}+4$$

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.

$$-9x^{2}+72x-102=0$$

Add 102 to both sides of the equation.

$$-9x^{2}+72x-102-\left(-102\right)=-\left(-102\right)$$

Subtracting -102 from itself leaves 0.

$$-9x^{2}+72x=-\left(-102\right)$$

Subtract -102 from 0.

$$-9x^{2}+72x=102$$

Divide both sides by -9.

$$\frac{-9x^{2}+72x}{-9}=\frac{102}{-9}$$

Dividing by -9 undoes the multiplication by -9.

$$x^{2}+\frac{72}{-9}x=\frac{102}{-9}$$

Divide 72 by -9.

$$x^{2}-8x=\frac{102}{-9}$$

Reduce the fraction \frac{102}{-9} to lowest terms by extracting and canceling out 3.

$$x^{2}-8x=-\frac{34}{3}$$

Divide -8, the coefficient of the x term, by 2 to get -4. Then add the square of -4 to both sides of the equation. This step makes the left hand side of the equation a perfect square.

$$x^{2}-8x+\left(-4\right)^{2}=-\frac{34}{3}+\left(-4\right)^{2}$$

Square -4.

$$x^{2}-8x+16=-\frac{34}{3}+16$$

Add -\frac{34}{3} to 16.

$$x^{2}-8x+16=\frac{14}{3}$$

Factor x^{2}-8x+16. In general, when x^{2}+bx+c is a perfect square, it can always be factored as \left(x+\frac{b}{2}\right)^{2}.

$$\left(x-4\right)^{2}=\frac{14}{3}$$

Take the square root of both sides of the equation.

$$\sqrt{\left(x-4\right)^{2}}=\sqrt{\frac{14}{3}}$$

Simplify.

$$x-4=\frac{\sqrt{42}}{3} x-4=-\frac{\sqrt{42}}{3}$$

Add 4 to both sides of the equation.

$$x=\frac{\sqrt{42}}{3}+4 x=-\frac{\sqrt{42}}{3}+4$$