Question

Solve each of the following equations for x and give, in each case, your answer correct to one decimal place:

(i) x² – 8x + 5 = 0

(ii) 5x² + 10x −3 = 0

Answer 1

(i) x² – 8x + 5 = 0

Here a = 1, b = − 8 and c = 5

= 4 ± √11 = 4 ± 3.3 = 7.3 and 0.7

(ii) 5x² + 10x −3 = 0

Here a = 5, b = 10 and c = −3

= 0.26 and − 2.26 = 0.3 and – 2.3