To find the solutions to the quadratic equation x^2 - 6x - 16 = 0 using the quadratic formula, we first need to identify the coefficients in the equation. In this case, the coefficient of x^2 is 1, the coefficient of x is -6, and the constant term is -16.
The quadratic formula is given by:
x = (-b ± √(b^2 - 4ac)) / (2a)
In this equation, a represents the coefficient of x^2, b represents the coefficient of x, and c represents the constant term.
Plugging in the values from the given equation, we have:
x = (-(-6) ± √((-6)^2 - 4(1)(-16))) / (2(1))
Simplifying:
x = (6 ± √(36 + 64)) / 2
x = (6 ± √(100)) / 2
x = (6 ± 10) / 2
Now we have two possibilities:
1. x = (6 + 10) / 2 = 16 / 2 = 8
2. x = (6 - 10) / 2 = -4 / 2 = -2
Therefore, the solutions to x^2 - 6x - 16 = 0 are x = 8 and x = -2.
The correct answer is option D. x = 8, x = -2.
Using the quadratic formula, find the solution to x^2 - 6x - 16 = 0.
A. x = -2
B. x = 8
C. x = 8, x = -8
D. x = 8, x = -2
1 answer
1 answer