Question

How do you solve `x^2 + 3x - 5 = 0`?

Answer 1

x = `(-3 + sqrt29)/2` or `x = (-3 - sqrt29)/2`

Explanation:

This equation does not easily factorise so using the general equation `y = ax^2 + bx +c` and the formula

`x =( -b +sqrt( b^2 - 4ac))/(2a)` or`x =( -b - sqrt(b^2 - 4ac))/(2a)`

then if `y = x^2 +3x-5`

a =1, b = 3 and c = -5

`x =( -3 + sqrt(3^2 - (-20)))/2` or`x = (-3 - sqrt(3^2 - (-20)))/2`

which comes to the given answer.
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