Solve t^2-14t=252

$$t ^ { 2 } - 14 t = 252$$

Solve for t

$$t=\sqrt{301}+7\approx 24.349351573$$

$$t=7-\sqrt{301}\approx -10.349351573$$

Steps Using the Quadratic Formula

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.

$$t^{2}-14t=252$$

Subtract 252 from both sides of the equation.

$$t^{2}-14t-252=252-252$$

Subtracting 252 from itself leaves 0.

$$t^{2}-14t-252=0$$

This equation is in standard form: ax^{2}+bx+c=0. Substitute 1 for a, -14 for b, and -252 for c in the quadratic formula, \frac{-b±\sqrt{b^{2}-4ac}}{2a}.

$$t=\frac{-\left(-14\right)±\sqrt{\left(-14\right)^{2}-4\left(-252\right)}}{2}$$

Square -14.

$$t=\frac{-\left(-14\right)±\sqrt{196-4\left(-252\right)}}{2}$$

Multiply -4 times -252.

$$t=\frac{-\left(-14\right)±\sqrt{196+1008}}{2}$$

Add 196 to 1008.

$$t=\frac{-\left(-14\right)±\sqrt{1204}}{2}$$

Take the square root of 1204.

$$t=\frac{-\left(-14\right)±2\sqrt{301}}{2}$$

The opposite of -14 is 14.

$$t=\frac{14±2\sqrt{301}}{2}$$

Now solve the equation t=\frac{14±2\sqrt{301}}{2} when ± is plus. Add 14 to 2\sqrt{301}.

$$t=\frac{2\sqrt{301}+14}{2}$$

Divide 14+2\sqrt{301} by 2.

$$t=\sqrt{301}+7$$

Now solve the equation t=\frac{14±2\sqrt{301}}{2} when ± is minus. Subtract 2\sqrt{301} from 14.

$$t=\frac{14-2\sqrt{301}}{2}$$

Divide 14-2\sqrt{301} by 2.

$$t=7-\sqrt{301}$$

The equation is now solved.

$$t=\sqrt{301}+7 t=7-\sqrt{301}$$

Steps for Completing the Square

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.

$$t^{2}-14t=252$$

Divide -14, the coefficient of the x term, by 2 to get -7. Then add the square of -7 to both sides of the equation. This step makes the left hand side of the equation a perfect square.

$$t^{2}-14t+\left(-7\right)^{2}=252+\left(-7\right)^{2}$$

Square -7.

$$t^{2}-14t+49=252+49$$

Add 252 to 49.

$$t^{2}-14t+49=301$$

Factor t^{2}-14t+49. In general, when x^{2}+bx+c is a perfect square, it can always be factored as \left(x+\frac{b}{2}\right)^{2}.

$$\left(t-7\right)^{2}=301$$

Take the square root of both sides of the equation.

$$\sqrt{\left(t-7\right)^{2}}=\sqrt{301}$$

Simplify.

$$t-7=\sqrt{301} t-7=-\sqrt{301}$$

Add 7 to both sides of the equation.

$$t=\sqrt{301}+7 t=7-\sqrt{301}$$