Solving the Equation (x-4)^2 - 49 = 0
This article will guide you through the steps of solving the quadratic equation (x-4)^2 - 49 = 0.
Understanding the Equation
The equation (x-4)^2 - 49 = 0 represents a quadratic equation in standard form. Here's why:
- Quadratic: The highest power of the variable 'x' is 2 (from the term (x-4)^2).
- Standard Form: The equation is arranged in the form ax^2 + bx + c = 0, where a, b, and c are constants.
Solving for x
To solve for x, we can use the following steps:
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Isolate the squared term:
- Add 49 to both sides of the equation: (x-4)^2 = 49
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Take the square root of both sides:
- Remember to include both positive and negative roots: x - 4 = ±√49
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Simplify:
- √49 = 7 x - 4 = ±7
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Solve for x:
- Add 4 to both sides: x = 4 ± 7
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Find the two solutions:
- x = 4 + 7 = 11
- x = 4 - 7 = -3
Solutions
Therefore, the solutions to the equation (x-4)^2 - 49 = 0 are x = 11 and x = -3.
Verification
We can verify our solutions by substituting them back into the original equation:
- For x = 11: (11 - 4)^2 - 49 = 7^2 - 49 = 49 - 49 = 0
- For x = -3: (-3 - 4)^2 - 49 = (-7)^2 - 49 = 49 - 49 = 0
Both solutions satisfy the equation, confirming our results.