How do you solve h²=32-4h?

2 Answers
Mar 13, 2016

Convert to standard form then either factor or use the quadratic formula to get
color(white)("XXX")h=-8 or h=4

Explanation:

Given
color(white)("XXX")h^2=32-4h

Re-write into standard form:
color(white)("XXX")color(red)((1)h^2color(blue)(+4)hcolor(green)(-32) = 0

Option 1
Recognize the factoring:
color(white)("XXX")(h+8)(h-4)=0
rarrcolor(white)("XXX")h=-8 or h=4

Option 2
Apply the quadratic formula for roots:
color(white)("XXX")h=(-color(blue)(b)+-sqrt(color(blue)(b)^2-4color(red)(a)color(green)(c)))/(2color(red)(a))
in this specific case:
color(white)("XXX")h=(-color(blue)(4)+-sqrt((color(blue)(4))^2-4(color(red)(1))(color(green)(-32))))/(2(color(red)(1)))

color(white)("XXX")=(-4+-sqrt(16+128))/2

color(white)("XXX")=(-4+-sqrt(144))/2

color(white)("XXX")=-2+-6

rarrcolor(white)("XXX")h=+4 or h=-8

Mar 13, 2016

h=4,-8

Explanation:

h^2=32-4h

Gather all terms to one side of the equation and arrange the equation in standard form.

h^2+4h-32=0

Determine two numbers that when added equal 4 and when multiplied equal -32. The numbers 8 and -4.

Rewrite the equation in factored form.

color(red)((h-4))color(blue)((h+8))=0

Set each binomial equal to zero and solve for h.

color(red)(h-4)=0

color(red)(h=4)

color(blue)(h+8)=0

color(blue)(h=-8)

h=color(red)4, color(blue)(-8)