Substitute the values of \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\) into the quadratic formula: \(x = \frac{-8 \pm \sqrt{8^2 - 4 \cdot 1 \cdot 15}}{2 \cdot 1}\).
Simplify inside the square root (the discriminant): calculate \(8^2 - 4 \cdot 1 \cdot 15\) to determine the value under the square root.
Evaluate the square root and then compute the two possible values for \(x\) by using the plus and minus signs in the formula.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Quadratic Equation
A quadratic equation is a second-degree polynomial equation in the form ax² + bx + c = 0, where a ≠ 0. It represents a parabola when graphed, and its solutions are the x-values where the parabola intersects the x-axis.
The quadratic formula x = (-b ± √(b² - 4ac)) / (2a) provides the solutions to any quadratic equation ax² + bx + c = 0. It uses coefficients a, b, and c to find roots, including real and complex solutions.
Solving Quadratic Equations Using The Quadratic Formula
Discriminant
The discriminant, given by b² - 4ac, determines the nature of the roots of a quadratic equation. If positive, there are two distinct real roots; if zero, one real root; and if negative, two complex conjugate roots.