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w^{2}-4=0
Divide both sides by 2.
\left(w-2\right)\left(w+2\right)=0
Consider w^{2}-4. Rewrite w^{2}-4 as w^{2}-2^{2}. The difference of squares can be factored using the rule: a^{2}-b^{2}=\left(a-b\right)\left(a+b\right).
w=2 w=-2
To find equation solutions, solve w-2=0 and w+2=0.
2w^{2}=8
Add 8 to both sides. Anything plus zero gives itself.
w^{2}=\frac{8}{2}
Divide both sides by 2.
w^{2}=4
Divide 8 by 2 to get 4.
w=2 w=-2
Take the square root of both sides of the equation.
2w^{2}-8=0
Quadratic equations like this one, with an x^{2} term but no x term, can still be solved using the quadratic formula, \frac{-b±\sqrt{b^{2}-4ac}}{2a}, once they are put in standard form: ax^{2}+bx+c=0.
w=\frac{0±\sqrt{0^{2}-4\times 2\left(-8\right)}}{2\times 2}
This equation is in standard form: ax^{2}+bx+c=0. Substitute 2 for a, 0 for b, and -8 for c in the quadratic formula, \frac{-b±\sqrt{b^{2}-4ac}}{2a}.
w=\frac{0±\sqrt{-4\times 2\left(-8\right)}}{2\times 2}
Square 0.
w=\frac{0±\sqrt{-8\left(-8\right)}}{2\times 2}
Multiply -4 times 2.
w=\frac{0±\sqrt{64}}{2\times 2}
Multiply -8 times -8.
w=\frac{0±8}{2\times 2}
Take the square root of 64.
w=\frac{0±8}{4}
Multiply 2 times 2.
w=2
Now solve the equation w=\frac{0±8}{4} when ± is plus. Divide 8 by 4.
w=-2
Now solve the equation w=\frac{0±8}{4} when ± is minus. Divide -8 by 4.
w=2 w=-2
The equation is now solved.