x2−2x − 35 = 0

for x.

1 answer

To solve the equation x^2 - 2x - 35 = 0, we can use the quadratic formula:

x = (-b ± √(b^2 - 4ac)) / (2a)

In this case, a = 1, b = -2, and c = -35. Substituting these values into the quadratic formula:

x = (-(-2) ± √((-2)^2 - 4(1)(-35))) / (2(1))
x = (2 ± √(4 + 140)) / 2
x = (2 ± √144) / 2

Taking the square root of 144 gives:

x = (2 ± 12) / 2

So we have two possible solutions:

x1 = (2 + 12) / 2 = 14/2 = 7
x2 = (2 - 12) / 2 = -10/2 = -5

Therefore, the solutions for x are x = 7 and x = -5.