how do you solve quadratic equations by finding square roots

i have no clue how to do this. I have fallen behind in my math class because my teacher is horrible. I need to learn this to understand everything in the section in the section. I beg someboody to answer this question. i don't want any replys like figure it out yourself or coments like ms. sue has ben posting as `answers'.Pleeaseeeeee!

<3 converse

algebra 2
an addition to my question, how would you solve somthing like 2(radical sign)2

http://www.jiskha.com/display.cgi?id=1259619516

perhaps you mean by using the quadratic equation:

if
a x^2 + b x + c = 0
a,b, c constant, x variable
then
x = [-b +/- sqrt (b^2-4ac) ] / ( 2 a )

You can prove that by completing the square
x^2 + (b/a) x = -c/a
x^2 +(b/a) x + (b/2a)^2 = -c/a + b^2/4a^2

(x+b/2a)^2 = -4ca/4a^2 + b^2/4a^2
x + b/2a = (1/2a)sqrt( b^2 - 4ac)

To solve quadratic equations by finding square roots, you can follow these steps:

Step 1: Write down the equation in the form of ax^2 + bx + c = 0. This is called the standard form of a quadratic equation.

Step 2: Make sure the coefficient of the x^2 term (a) is 1. If it is not 1, divide the entire equation by a to make it so.

Step 3: Move the constant term (c) to the opposite side of the equation so that you have ax^2 + bx = -c.

Step 4: Take the square root of both sides of the equation. This will eliminate the square term (x^2) on the left side.

Step 5: Solve the resulting equation. You will get two solutions, a positive and a negative value.

Step 6: If necessary, simplify or rationalize the solutions.

For example, let's solve the quadratic equation x^2 - 5x + 6 = 0:

Step 1: The equation is already in standard form.

Step 2: a = 1, so no need to modify the equation.

Step 3: Move the constant term to the other side: x^2 - 5x = -6.

Step 4: Take the square root of both sides: √(x^2 - 5x) = ±√(-6).

Step 5: Solve the resulting equation: x - 5/2 = ±√(-6). This can be simplified further depending on the value of the radical expression.

Step 6: Continue solving for x, considering both positive and negative square roots.

Regarding your additional question about 2√2, it is an already simplified expression for the square root of 8 (since 8 can be written as 2 * 2 * 2). However, if you need to simplify it further, you can simplify the radical by finding perfect squares that can be factored out. In this case:

2√2 = 2 * √(2) = 2 * 1.414 = 2.828.

So, 2√2 is approximately equal to 2.828.

Remember, practice is key when learning math. Keep working on similar examples and try to grasp the concepts step by step to improve your understanding.