Solve x2 – 5x – 24 = 0 by completing the square.Question 13 options:A) x = 6 and x = –4B) x = 3 and x = –8C) x = –3 and x = 8D) x = –6 and x = –4



Answer :

Given:

[tex]x^2-5x-24=0[/tex]

First, let us keep the x terms on the left side and move the constant to the right side of the equation through adding 24 on both sides.

[tex]x^2-5x-24+24=0+24[/tex][tex]x^2-5x=24[/tex]

Next, we will take the half of the x term, 5x, and square it.

[tex](\frac{5}{2})^2=\frac{25}{4}[/tex]

And then, we will add this to both sides of the equation.

[tex]x^2-5x+\frac{25}{4}=24+\frac{25}{4}[/tex]

Then, we will rewrite the left side of the equation as a perfect square

[tex](x-\frac{5}{2})^2=\frac{121}{4}[/tex]

Take the square root of both sides

[tex]\sqrt[]{(x-\frac{5}{2})^2}=\sqrt[]{\frac{121}{4}}[/tex][tex]x-\frac{5}{2}=\pm\frac{11}{2}[/tex]

Solve for x (1)

[tex]x=\frac{5}{2}+\frac{11}{2}[/tex][tex]x=\frac{16}{2}[/tex][tex]x=8[/tex]

Solve for x (2)

[tex]x=\frac{5}{2}-\frac{11}{2}[/tex][tex]x=\frac{-6}{2}[/tex][tex]x=-3[/tex]

Now, we know that the values of x are -3 and 8, therefore, the answer would be C. x=-3 and x=8.