the steps for solving this equation using the quadratic formula . x ^ 2 + 3x - 4 = 0 FIRST STEP First Step : Identify a = 1 , b=3.c=-4; x = (- 3 + 5)/2 and x = (- 3 - 5)/2; x = (- 3 plus/minus sqrt(9 + 16))/2; x = (- 3 plus/minus sqrt(25))/2; x = (- 3 plus/minus sqrt((3) ^ 2 - 4(1)(- 4)))/(2(1)) x = 1 and x = - 4; x = (- 3 plus/minus 5)/2; x = 2/2 and x = - 8/2