Skip to main content
Solve for x
Tick mark Image
Graph

Similar Problems from Web Search

Share

2x^{2}+85x-8=25
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.
2x^{2}+85x-8-25=25-25
Subtract 25 from both sides of the equation.
2x^{2}+85x-8-25=0
Subtracting 25 from itself leaves 0.
2x^{2}+85x-33=0
Subtract 25 from -8.
x=\frac{-85±\sqrt{85^{2}-4\times 2\left(-33\right)}}{2\times 2}
This equation is in standard form: ax^{2}+bx+c=0. Substitute 2 for a, 85 for b, and -33 for c in the quadratic formula, \frac{-b±\sqrt{b^{2}-4ac}}{2a}.
x=\frac{-85±\sqrt{7225-4\times 2\left(-33\right)}}{2\times 2}
Square 85.
x=\frac{-85±\sqrt{7225-8\left(-33\right)}}{2\times 2}
Multiply -4 times 2.
x=\frac{-85±\sqrt{7225+264}}{2\times 2}
Multiply -8 times -33.
x=\frac{-85±\sqrt{7489}}{2\times 2}
Add 7225 to 264.
x=\frac{-85±\sqrt{7489}}{4}
Multiply 2 times 2.
x=\frac{\sqrt{7489}-85}{4}
Now solve the equation x=\frac{-85±\sqrt{7489}}{4} when ± is plus. Add -85 to \sqrt{7489}.
x=\frac{-\sqrt{7489}-85}{4}
Now solve the equation x=\frac{-85±\sqrt{7489}}{4} when ± is minus. Subtract \sqrt{7489} from -85.
x=\frac{\sqrt{7489}-85}{4} x=\frac{-\sqrt{7489}-85}{4}
The equation is now solved.
2x^{2}+85x-8=25
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}+85x-8-\left(-8\right)=25-\left(-8\right)
Add 8 to both sides of the equation.
2x^{2}+85x=25-\left(-8\right)
Subtracting -8 from itself leaves 0.
2x^{2}+85x=33
Subtract -8 from 25.
\frac{2x^{2}+85x}{2}=\frac{33}{2}
Divide both sides by 2.
x^{2}+\frac{85}{2}x=\frac{33}{2}
Dividing by 2 undoes the multiplication by 2.
x^{2}+\frac{85}{2}x+\left(\frac{85}{4}\right)^{2}=\frac{33}{2}+\left(\frac{85}{4}\right)^{2}
Divide \frac{85}{2}, the coefficient of the x term, by 2 to get \frac{85}{4}. Then add the square of \frac{85}{4} to both sides of the equation. This step makes the left hand side of the equation a perfect square.
x^{2}+\frac{85}{2}x+\frac{7225}{16}=\frac{33}{2}+\frac{7225}{16}
Square \frac{85}{4} by squaring both the numerator and the denominator of the fraction.
x^{2}+\frac{85}{2}x+\frac{7225}{16}=\frac{7489}{16}
Add \frac{33}{2} to \frac{7225}{16} by finding a common denominator and adding the numerators. Then reduce the fraction to lowest terms if possible.
\left(x+\frac{85}{4}\right)^{2}=\frac{7489}{16}
Factor x^{2}+\frac{85}{2}x+\frac{7225}{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}.
\sqrt{\left(x+\frac{85}{4}\right)^{2}}=\sqrt{\frac{7489}{16}}
Take the square root of both sides of the equation.
x+\frac{85}{4}=\frac{\sqrt{7489}}{4} x+\frac{85}{4}=-\frac{\sqrt{7489}}{4}
Simplify.
x=\frac{\sqrt{7489}-85}{4} x=\frac{-\sqrt{7489}-85}{4}
Subtract \frac{85}{4} from both sides of the equation.