The correct steps for solving the equation x^2 + 3x - 4 = 0 using the quadratic formula are:
1. Identify the values of a, b, and c:
a = 1
b = 3
c = -4
2. Plug these values into the quadratic formula:
x = (-b ± sqrt(b^2 - 4ac)) / (2a)
3. Substitute the values of a, b, and c into the quadratic formula:
x = (-3 ± sqrt(3^2 - 4(1)(-4))) / (2(1))
4. Simplify the equation:
x = (-3 ± sqrt(9 + 16)) / (2)
5. Further simplify the equation:
x = (-3 ± sqrt(25)) / (2)
6. Take the square root of 25:
x = (-3 ± 5) / 2
7. Simplify the equation further:
x = (-3 + 5) / 2 or x = (-3 - 5) / 2
8. Calculate the solutions:
x = 2 / 2 or x = -8 / 2
9. Simplify the solutions:
x = 1 or x = -4