Solving the Equation (2x+5)(6x-1) = 120
This equation involves a product of two binomials set equal to a constant. To solve for x, we need to follow these steps:
1. Expand the product:
- Use the FOIL method (First, Outer, Inner, Last) to multiply the binomials:
- (2x+5)(6x-1) = (2x * 6x) + (2x * -1) + (5 * 6x) + (5 * -1)
- (2x+5)(6x-1) = 12x² - 2x + 30x - 5
- (2x+5)(6x-1) = 12x² + 28x - 5
2. Rearrange the equation:
- Move all terms to one side to set the equation equal to zero:
- 12x² + 28x - 5 - 120 = 0
- 12x² + 28x - 125 = 0
3. Solve the quadratic equation:
- We can solve this quadratic equation using the quadratic formula:
- x = (-b ± √(b² - 4ac)) / 2a
- Where a = 12, b = 28, and c = -125
4. Substitute the values and simplify:
- x = (-28 ± √(28² - 4 * 12 * -125)) / (2 * 12)
- x = (-28 ± √(784 + 6000)) / 24
- x = (-28 ± √6784) / 24
- x = (-28 ± 82) / 24
5. Calculate the solutions:
- x1 = (-28 + 82) / 24 = 54 / 24 = 9/4
- x2 = (-28 - 82) / 24 = -110 / 24 = -55/12
Therefore, the solutions for the equation (2x+5)(6x-1) = 120 are x = 9/4 and x = -55/12.