Thread: hw help

I'm having trouble figuring out a math problem.

1. x2(sqaured) + 12 =-7x

2. -6x - 2 = (3x + 1)2(sqaured)

My first instinct was to factor both. Not sure if this was the right approach. Please any advice or links to similar problems to help solve would help a lot

thanks in advance!

Originally Posted by Stump101

I'm having trouble figuring out a math problem.

1. x2(sqaured) + 12 =-7x

2. -6x - 2 = (3x + 1)2(sqaured)

My first instinct was to factor both. Not sure if this was the right approach. Please any advice or links to similar problems to help solve would help a lot

thanks in advance!

1. $\displaystyle x^2 + 12 = -7x$

$\displaystyle x^2 + 7x + 12 = 0$

$\displaystyle (x + 3)(x + 4) = 0$

$\displaystyle x + 3 = 0$ or $\displaystyle x + 4 = 0$

$\displaystyle x = -3$ or $\displaystyle x = -4$.


2. $\displaystyle -6x - 2 = (3x + 1)^2$

$\displaystyle -2(3x + 1) = (3x + 1)^2$

$\displaystyle 0 = (3x + 1)^2 + 2(3x + 1)$

$\displaystyle 0 = (3x + 1)(3x + 1 + 2)$

$\displaystyle 0 = (3x + 1)(3x + 3)$

$\displaystyle 0 = 3(3x + 1)(x + 1)$

So $\displaystyle 3x + 1 = 0$ or $\displaystyle x + 1 = 0$

$\displaystyle x = -\frac{1}{3}$ or $\displaystyle x = -1$.