How to use the quadratic formula, using the following equation: x^2 + 3x - 4

To begin you must identify the co-efficients of each x term, essentially what number comes before x2 , x and the integer value.

a = 1, b = 3, c = -4 . We then substitute these values into the quadratic formula:  x = ( -b +- SQRT (b2 - 4ac) ) ÷ 2a . For the top half of the formula we end up with:  - 3 +- SQRT (32 - 4 x 1 x (-4)). This simplifies to -3 +- 5 = 2 or -8.

On the bottom of the formula we simply get 2 x 1 = 2. Therefore our 2 answers for x are x = 2 ÷ 2 or x = -8 ÷ 2 which results in x being equal to x = 1 or -4.

Answered by Oliver B. Maths tutor

2682 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

A truck travels 110 miles in 2 hours. What is the average speed of the truck?


Lewis wins £360 in a prize draw. He gives 15% to charity and puts 3/8 into his savings. The rest he uses to buy a bike. How much of the money has Lewis got left for this bike? Note: do not use a calculator


Given the curve y=x^2 -6x +8, find the turning point.


A right-angled triangle has side lengths of 4cm and 3cm. What is the length of its hypotenuse?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences