To determine whether the values −1 and 73 are solutions to the equation \( 3x^2 - 4x - 4 = 3 \), we will first rewrite the equation in standard form:
\[ 3x^2 - 4x - 4 - 3 = 0 \]
Simplifying this gives:
\[ 3x^2 - 4x - 7 = 0 \]
Next, we'll substitute \( x = -1 \) and \( x = 73 \) into the equation to check each one.
- Checking \( x = -1 \):
\[ 3(-1)^2 - 4(-1) - 7 = 3(1) + 4 - 7 = 3 + 4 - 7 = 0 \]
Since the left side equals the right side (0), \( x = -1 \) is a solution.
- Checking \( x = 73 \):
\[ 3(73)^2 - 4(73) - 7 = 3(5329) - 292 - 7 \] Calculating \( 3(5329) \):
\[ 3 \times 5329 = 15987 \] Now calculate:
\[ 15987 - 292 - 7 = 15987 - 299 = 15688 \]
Since \( 15688 \neq 0 \), \( x = 73 \) is not a solution.
Thus, the conclusion is that only \( x = -1 \) is a solution.
The correct answer is: Only \( x = -1 \) is a solution.