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3x^{2}+12x+6=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{-12±\sqrt{12^{2}-4\times 3\times 6}}{2\times 3}
This equation is in standard form: ax^{2}+bx+c=0. Substitute 3 for a, 12 for b, and 6 for c in the quadratic formula, \frac{-b±\sqrt{b^{2}-4ac}}{2a}.
x=\frac{-12±\sqrt{144-4\times 3\times 6}}{2\times 3}
Square 12.
x=\frac{-12±\sqrt{144-12\times 6}}{2\times 3}
Multiply -4 times 3.
x=\frac{-12±\sqrt{144-72}}{2\times 3}
Multiply -12 times 6.
x=\frac{-12±\sqrt{72}}{2\times 3}
Add 144 to -72.
x=\frac{-12±6\sqrt{2}}{2\times 3}
Take the square root of 72.
x=\frac{-12±6\sqrt{2}}{6}
Multiply 2 times 3.
x=\frac{6\sqrt{2}-12}{6}
Now solve the equation x=\frac{-12±6\sqrt{2}}{6} when ± is plus. Add -12 to 6\sqrt{2}.
x=\sqrt{2}-2
Divide -12+6\sqrt{2} by 6.
x=\frac{-6\sqrt{2}-12}{6}
Now solve the equation x=\frac{-12±6\sqrt{2}}{6} when ± is minus. Subtract 6\sqrt{2} from -12.
x=-\sqrt{2}-2
Divide -12-6\sqrt{2} by 6.
x=\sqrt{2}-2 x=-\sqrt{2}-2
The equation is now solved.
3x^{2}+12x+6=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.
3x^{2}+12x+6-6=-6
Subtract 6 from both sides of the equation.
3x^{2}+12x=-6
Subtracting 6 from itself leaves 0.
\frac{3x^{2}+12x}{3}=-\frac{6}{3}
Divide both sides by 3.
x^{2}+\frac{12}{3}x=-\frac{6}{3}
Dividing by 3 undoes the multiplication by 3.
x^{2}+4x=-\frac{6}{3}
Divide 12 by 3.
x^{2}+4x=-2
Divide -6 by 3.
x^{2}+4x+2^{2}=-2+2^{2}
Divide 4, the coefficient of the x term, by 2 to get 2. Then add the square of 2 to both sides of the equation. This step makes the left hand side of the equation a perfect square.
x^{2}+4x+4=-2+4
Square 2.
x^{2}+4x+4=2
Add -2 to 4.
\left(x+2\right)^{2}=2
Factor x^{2}+4x+4. 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+2\right)^{2}}=\sqrt{2}
Take the square root of both sides of the equation.
x+2=\sqrt{2} x+2=-\sqrt{2}
Simplify.
x=\sqrt{2}-2 x=-\sqrt{2}-2
Subtract 2 from both sides of the equation.