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0.1x^{2}+1.4x=12
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.
0.1x^{2}+1.4x-12=12-12
Subtract 12 from both sides of the equation.
0.1x^{2}+1.4x-12=0
Subtracting 12 from itself leaves 0.
x=\frac{-1.4±\sqrt{1.4^{2}-4\times 0.1\left(-12\right)}}{2\times 0.1}
This equation is in standard form: ax^{2}+bx+c=0. Substitute 0.1 for a, 1.4 for b, and -12 for c in the quadratic formula, \frac{-b±\sqrt{b^{2}-4ac}}{2a}.
x=\frac{-1.4±\sqrt{1.96-4\times 0.1\left(-12\right)}}{2\times 0.1}
Square 1.4 by squaring both the numerator and the denominator of the fraction.
x=\frac{-1.4±\sqrt{1.96-0.4\left(-12\right)}}{2\times 0.1}
Multiply -4 times 0.1.
x=\frac{-1.4±\sqrt{1.96+4.8}}{2\times 0.1}
Multiply -0.4 times -12.
x=\frac{-1.4±\sqrt{6.76}}{2\times 0.1}
Add 1.96 to 4.8 by finding a common denominator and adding the numerators. Then reduce the fraction to lowest terms if possible.
x=\frac{-1.4±\frac{13}{5}}{2\times 0.1}
Take the square root of 6.76.
x=\frac{-1.4±\frac{13}{5}}{0.2}
Multiply 2 times 0.1.
x=\frac{\frac{6}{5}}{0.2}
Now solve the equation x=\frac{-1.4±\frac{13}{5}}{0.2} when ± is plus. Add -1.4 to \frac{13}{5} by finding a common denominator and adding the numerators. Then reduce the fraction to lowest terms if possible.
x=6
Divide \frac{6}{5} by 0.2 by multiplying \frac{6}{5} by the reciprocal of 0.2.
x=-\frac{4}{0.2}
Now solve the equation x=\frac{-1.4±\frac{13}{5}}{0.2} when ± is minus. Subtract \frac{13}{5} from -1.4 by finding a common denominator and subtracting the numerators. Then reduce the fraction to lowest terms if possible.
x=-20
Divide -4 by 0.2 by multiplying -4 by the reciprocal of 0.2.
x=6 x=-20
The equation is now solved.
0.1x^{2}+1.4x=12
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.
\frac{0.1x^{2}+1.4x}{0.1}=\frac{12}{0.1}
Multiply both sides by 10.
x^{2}+\frac{1.4}{0.1}x=\frac{12}{0.1}
Dividing by 0.1 undoes the multiplication by 0.1.
x^{2}+14x=\frac{12}{0.1}
Divide 1.4 by 0.1 by multiplying 1.4 by the reciprocal of 0.1.
x^{2}+14x=120
Divide 12 by 0.1 by multiplying 12 by the reciprocal of 0.1.
x^{2}+14x+7^{2}=120+7^{2}
Divide 14, the coefficient of the x term, by 2 to get 7. Then add the square of 7 to both sides of the equation. This step makes the left hand side of the equation a perfect square.
x^{2}+14x+49=120+49
Square 7.
x^{2}+14x+49=169
Add 120 to 49.
\left(x+7\right)^{2}=169
Factor x^{2}+14x+49. 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+7\right)^{2}}=\sqrt{169}
Take the square root of both sides of the equation.
x+7=13 x+7=-13
Simplify.
x=6 x=-20
Subtract 7 from both sides of the equation.