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3x^{2}+4x=9
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.
3x^{2}+4x-9=9-9
Subtract 9 from both sides of the equation.
3x^{2}+4x-9=0
Subtracting 9 from itself leaves 0.
x=\frac{-4±\sqrt{4^{2}-4\times 3\left(-9\right)}}{2\times 3}
This equation is in standard form: ax^{2}+bx+c=0. Substitute 3 for a, 4 for b, and -9 for c in the quadratic formula, \frac{-b±\sqrt{b^{2}-4ac}}{2a}.
x=\frac{-4±\sqrt{16-4\times 3\left(-9\right)}}{2\times 3}
Square 4.
x=\frac{-4±\sqrt{16-12\left(-9\right)}}{2\times 3}
Multiply -4 times 3.
x=\frac{-4±\sqrt{16+108}}{2\times 3}
Multiply -12 times -9.
x=\frac{-4±\sqrt{124}}{2\times 3}
Add 16 to 108.
x=\frac{-4±2\sqrt{31}}{2\times 3}
Take the square root of 124.
x=\frac{-4±2\sqrt{31}}{6}
Multiply 2 times 3.
x=\frac{2\sqrt{31}-4}{6}
Now solve the equation x=\frac{-4±2\sqrt{31}}{6} when ± is plus. Add -4 to 2\sqrt{31}.
x=\frac{\sqrt{31}-2}{3}
Divide -4+2\sqrt{31} by 6.
x=\frac{-2\sqrt{31}-4}{6}
Now solve the equation x=\frac{-4±2\sqrt{31}}{6} when ± is minus. Subtract 2\sqrt{31} from -4.
x=\frac{-\sqrt{31}-2}{3}
Divide -4-2\sqrt{31} by 6.
x=\frac{\sqrt{31}-2}{3} x=\frac{-\sqrt{31}-2}{3}
The equation is now solved.
3x^{2}+4x=9
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{3x^{2}+4x}{3}=\frac{9}{3}
Divide both sides by 3.
x^{2}+\frac{4}{3}x=\frac{9}{3}
Dividing by 3 undoes the multiplication by 3.
x^{2}+\frac{4}{3}x=3
Divide 9 by 3.
x^{2}+\frac{4}{3}x+\left(\frac{2}{3}\right)^{2}=3+\left(\frac{2}{3}\right)^{2}
Divide \frac{4}{3}, the coefficient of the x term, by 2 to get \frac{2}{3}. Then add the square of \frac{2}{3} to both sides of the equation. This step makes the left hand side of the equation a perfect square.
x^{2}+\frac{4}{3}x+\frac{4}{9}=3+\frac{4}{9}
Square \frac{2}{3} by squaring both the numerator and the denominator of the fraction.
x^{2}+\frac{4}{3}x+\frac{4}{9}=\frac{31}{9}
Add 3 to \frac{4}{9}.
\left(x+\frac{2}{3}\right)^{2}=\frac{31}{9}
Factor x^{2}+\frac{4}{3}x+\frac{4}{9}. 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{2}{3}\right)^{2}}=\sqrt{\frac{31}{9}}
Take the square root of both sides of the equation.
x+\frac{2}{3}=\frac{\sqrt{31}}{3} x+\frac{2}{3}=-\frac{\sqrt{31}}{3}
Simplify.
x=\frac{\sqrt{31}-2}{3} x=\frac{-\sqrt{31}-2}{3}
Subtract \frac{2}{3} from both sides of the equation.