Skip to main content
Solve for x
Tick mark Image
Graph

Similar Problems from Web Search

Share

x^{2}-8x-9=0
Rearrange the polynomial to put it in standard form. Place the terms in order from highest to lowest power.
a+b=-8 ab=-9
To solve the equation, factor x^{2}-8x-9 using formula x^{2}+\left(a+b\right)x+ab=\left(x+a\right)\left(x+b\right). To find a and b, set up a system to be solved.
1,-9 3,-3
Since ab is negative, a and b have the opposite signs. Since a+b is negative, the negative number has greater absolute value than the positive. List all such integer pairs that give product -9.
1-9=-8 3-3=0
Calculate the sum for each pair.
a=-9 b=1
The solution is the pair that gives sum -8.
\left(x-9\right)\left(x+1\right)
Rewrite factored expression \left(x+a\right)\left(x+b\right) using the obtained values.
x=9 x=-1
To find equation solutions, solve x-9=0 and x+1=0.
x^{2}-8x-9=0
Rearrange the polynomial to put it in standard form. Place the terms in order from highest to lowest power.
a+b=-8 ab=1\left(-9\right)=-9
To solve the equation, factor the left hand side by grouping. First, left hand side needs to be rewritten as x^{2}+ax+bx-9. To find a and b, set up a system to be solved.
1,-9 3,-3
Since ab is negative, a and b have the opposite signs. Since a+b is negative, the negative number has greater absolute value than the positive. List all such integer pairs that give product -9.
1-9=-8 3-3=0
Calculate the sum for each pair.
a=-9 b=1
The solution is the pair that gives sum -8.
\left(x^{2}-9x\right)+\left(x-9\right)
Rewrite x^{2}-8x-9 as \left(x^{2}-9x\right)+\left(x-9\right).
x\left(x-9\right)+x-9
Factor out x in x^{2}-9x.
\left(x-9\right)\left(x+1\right)
Factor out common term x-9 by using distributive property.
x=9 x=-1
To find equation solutions, solve x-9=0 and x+1=0.
x^{2}-8x-9=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{-\left(-8\right)±\sqrt{\left(-8\right)^{2}-4\left(-9\right)}}{2}
This equation is in standard form: ax^{2}+bx+c=0. Substitute 1 for a, -8 for b, and -9 for c in the quadratic formula, \frac{-b±\sqrt{b^{2}-4ac}}{2a}.
x=\frac{-\left(-8\right)±\sqrt{64-4\left(-9\right)}}{2}
Square -8.
x=\frac{-\left(-8\right)±\sqrt{64+36}}{2}
Multiply -4 times -9.
x=\frac{-\left(-8\right)±\sqrt{100}}{2}
Add 64 to 36.
x=\frac{-\left(-8\right)±10}{2}
Take the square root of 100.
x=\frac{8±10}{2}
The opposite of -8 is 8.
x=\frac{18}{2}
Now solve the equation x=\frac{8±10}{2} when ± is plus. Add 8 to 10.
x=9
Divide 18 by 2.
x=-\frac{2}{2}
Now solve the equation x=\frac{8±10}{2} when ± is minus. Subtract 10 from 8.
x=-1
Divide -2 by 2.
x=9 x=-1
The equation is now solved.
x^{2}-8x-9=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.
x^{2}-8x-9-\left(-9\right)=-\left(-9\right)
Add 9 to both sides of the equation.
x^{2}-8x=-\left(-9\right)
Subtracting -9 from itself leaves 0.
x^{2}-8x=9
Subtract -9 from 0.
x^{2}-8x+\left(-4\right)^{2}=9+\left(-4\right)^{2}
Divide -8, the coefficient of the x term, by 2 to get -4. Then add the square of -4 to both sides of the equation. This step makes the left hand side of the equation a perfect square.
x^{2}-8x+16=9+16
Square -4.
x^{2}-8x+16=25
Add 9 to 16.
\left(x-4\right)^{2}=25
Factor x^{2}-8x+16. 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-4\right)^{2}}=\sqrt{25}
Take the square root of both sides of the equation.
x-4=5 x-4=-5
Simplify.
x=9 x=-1
Add 4 to both sides of the equation.