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-x^{2}+36x=62
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}+36x-62=62-62
Subtract 62 from both sides of the equation.
-x^{2}+36x-62=0
Subtracting 62 from itself leaves 0.
x=\frac{-36±\sqrt{36^{2}-4\left(-1\right)\left(-62\right)}}{2\left(-1\right)}
This equation is in standard form: ax^{2}+bx+c=0. Substitute -1 for a, 36 for b, and -62 for c in the quadratic formula, \frac{-b±\sqrt{b^{2}-4ac}}{2a}.
x=\frac{-36±\sqrt{1296-4\left(-1\right)\left(-62\right)}}{2\left(-1\right)}
Square 36.
x=\frac{-36±\sqrt{1296+4\left(-62\right)}}{2\left(-1\right)}
Multiply -4 times -1.
x=\frac{-36±\sqrt{1296-248}}{2\left(-1\right)}
Multiply 4 times -62.
x=\frac{-36±\sqrt{1048}}{2\left(-1\right)}
Add 1296 to -248.
x=\frac{-36±2\sqrt{262}}{2\left(-1\right)}
Take the square root of 1048.
x=\frac{-36±2\sqrt{262}}{-2}
Multiply 2 times -1.
x=\frac{2\sqrt{262}-36}{-2}
Now solve the equation x=\frac{-36±2\sqrt{262}}{-2} when ± is plus. Add -36 to 2\sqrt{262}.
x=18-\sqrt{262}
Divide -36+2\sqrt{262} by -2.
x=\frac{-2\sqrt{262}-36}{-2}
Now solve the equation x=\frac{-36±2\sqrt{262}}{-2} when ± is minus. Subtract 2\sqrt{262} from -36.
x=\sqrt{262}+18
Divide -36-2\sqrt{262} by -2.
x=18-\sqrt{262} x=\sqrt{262}+18
The equation is now solved.
-x^{2}+36x=62
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}+36x}{-1}=\frac{62}{-1}
Divide both sides by -1.
x^{2}+\frac{36}{-1}x=\frac{62}{-1}
Dividing by -1 undoes the multiplication by -1.
x^{2}-36x=\frac{62}{-1}
Divide 36 by -1.
x^{2}-36x=-62
Divide 62 by -1.
x^{2}-36x+\left(-18\right)^{2}=-62+\left(-18\right)^{2}
Divide -36, the coefficient of the x term, by 2 to get -18. Then add the square of -18 to both sides of the equation. This step makes the left hand side of the equation a perfect square.
x^{2}-36x+324=-62+324
Square -18.
x^{2}-36x+324=262
Add -62 to 324.
\left(x-18\right)^{2}=262
Factor x^{2}-36x+324. 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-18\right)^{2}}=\sqrt{262}
Take the square root of both sides of the equation.
x-18=\sqrt{262} x-18=-\sqrt{262}
Simplify.
x=\sqrt{262}+18 x=18-\sqrt{262}
Add 18 to both sides of the equation.