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Solve for x (complex solution)
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2x^{2}+4x+16=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{-4±\sqrt{4^{2}-4\times 2\times 16}}{2\times 2}
This equation is in standard form: ax^{2}+bx+c=0. Substitute 2 for a, 4 for b, and 16 for c in the quadratic formula, \frac{-b±\sqrt{b^{2}-4ac}}{2a}.
x=\frac{-4±\sqrt{16-4\times 2\times 16}}{2\times 2}
Square 4.
x=\frac{-4±\sqrt{16-8\times 16}}{2\times 2}
Multiply -4 times 2.
x=\frac{-4±\sqrt{16-128}}{2\times 2}
Multiply -8 times 16.
x=\frac{-4±\sqrt{-112}}{2\times 2}
Add 16 to -128.
x=\frac{-4±4\sqrt{7}i}{2\times 2}
Take the square root of -112.
x=\frac{-4±4\sqrt{7}i}{4}
Multiply 2 times 2.
x=\frac{-4+4\sqrt{7}i}{4}
Now solve the equation x=\frac{-4±4\sqrt{7}i}{4} when ± is plus. Add -4 to 4i\sqrt{7}.
x=-1+\sqrt{7}i
Divide -4+4i\sqrt{7} by 4.
x=\frac{-4\sqrt{7}i-4}{4}
Now solve the equation x=\frac{-4±4\sqrt{7}i}{4} when ± is minus. Subtract 4i\sqrt{7} from -4.
x=-\sqrt{7}i-1
Divide -4-4i\sqrt{7} by 4.
x=-1+\sqrt{7}i x=-\sqrt{7}i-1
The equation is now solved.
2x^{2}+4x+16=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.
2x^{2}+4x+16-16=-16
Subtract 16 from both sides of the equation.
2x^{2}+4x=-16
Subtracting 16 from itself leaves 0.
\frac{2x^{2}+4x}{2}=-\frac{16}{2}
Divide both sides by 2.
x^{2}+\frac{4}{2}x=-\frac{16}{2}
Dividing by 2 undoes the multiplication by 2.
x^{2}+2x=-\frac{16}{2}
Divide 4 by 2.
x^{2}+2x=-8
Divide -16 by 2.
x^{2}+2x+1^{2}=-8+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=-8+1
Square 1.
x^{2}+2x+1=-7
Add -8 to 1.
\left(x+1\right)^{2}=-7
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{-7}
Take the square root of both sides of the equation.
x+1=\sqrt{7}i x+1=-\sqrt{7}i
Simplify.
x=-1+\sqrt{7}i x=-\sqrt{7}i-1
Subtract 1 from both sides of the equation.