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-x^{2}+10x=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.
-x^{2}+10x-12=12-12
Subtract 12 from both sides of the equation.
-x^{2}+10x-12=0
Subtracting 12 from itself leaves 0.
x=\frac{-10±\sqrt{10^{2}-4\left(-1\right)\left(-12\right)}}{2\left(-1\right)}
This equation is in standard form: ax^{2}+bx+c=0. Substitute -1 for a, 10 for b, and -12 for c in the quadratic formula, \frac{-b±\sqrt{b^{2}-4ac}}{2a}.
x=\frac{-10±\sqrt{100-4\left(-1\right)\left(-12\right)}}{2\left(-1\right)}
Square 10.
x=\frac{-10±\sqrt{100+4\left(-12\right)}}{2\left(-1\right)}
Multiply -4 times -1.
x=\frac{-10±\sqrt{100-48}}{2\left(-1\right)}
Multiply 4 times -12.
x=\frac{-10±\sqrt{52}}{2\left(-1\right)}
Add 100 to -48.
x=\frac{-10±2\sqrt{13}}{2\left(-1\right)}
Take the square root of 52.
x=\frac{-10±2\sqrt{13}}{-2}
Multiply 2 times -1.
x=\frac{2\sqrt{13}-10}{-2}
Now solve the equation x=\frac{-10±2\sqrt{13}}{-2} when ± is plus. Add -10 to 2\sqrt{13}.
x=5-\sqrt{13}
Divide -10+2\sqrt{13} by -2.
x=\frac{-2\sqrt{13}-10}{-2}
Now solve the equation x=\frac{-10±2\sqrt{13}}{-2} when ± is minus. Subtract 2\sqrt{13} from -10.
x=\sqrt{13}+5
Divide -10-2\sqrt{13} by -2.
x=5-\sqrt{13} x=\sqrt{13}+5
The equation is now solved.
-x^{2}+10x=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{-x^{2}+10x}{-1}=\frac{12}{-1}
Divide both sides by -1.
x^{2}+\frac{10}{-1}x=\frac{12}{-1}
Dividing by -1 undoes the multiplication by -1.
x^{2}-10x=\frac{12}{-1}
Divide 10 by -1.
x^{2}-10x=-12
Divide 12 by -1.
x^{2}-10x+\left(-5\right)^{2}=-12+\left(-5\right)^{2}
Divide -10, the coefficient of the x term, by 2 to get -5. Then add the square of -5 to both sides of the equation. This step makes the left hand side of the equation a perfect square.
x^{2}-10x+25=-12+25
Square -5.
x^{2}-10x+25=13
Add -12 to 25.
\left(x-5\right)^{2}=13
Factor x^{2}-10x+25. 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-5\right)^{2}}=\sqrt{13}
Take the square root of both sides of the equation.
x-5=\sqrt{13} x-5=-\sqrt{13}
Simplify.
x=\sqrt{13}+5 x=5-\sqrt{13}
Add 5 to both sides of the equation.