Can someone tell me if I worked this problem out correctly: x^2-8x+3 = 0 1) x^2 - 8x + 16 = 13 (divided the 8 by 2, then took the square root of 4 and added it to both sides)

2) (x-4)^2 = 13
3) x -4 = +/- 13
4) x = 4+13 = 17 and x = 4-13 = -8
5) x = 17, -8

Question

Can someone tell me if I worked this problem out correctly: x^2-8x+3 = 0   1) x^2 - 8x + 16 = 13 (divided the 8 by 2, then took the square root of 4 and added it to both sides)

  2) (x-4)^2 = 13    
  3) x -4 = +/- 13
  4) x = 4+13 = 17   and x = 4-13 = -8
  5) x = 17, -8

anonymous · Answer

this is a "complete the square" problem.

saifoo.khan · Answer

seems wrong! D:

anonymous · Answer

where did I go wrong?

mertsj · Answer

when you took the square root of the left side, you should also have taken the square root of the right side

anonymous · Answer

oops, the original problem was: x ^2 - 8x + 3 =0. I subtracted -3 from both sides. Then when I took the square root of 4, I added it to both sides. I forgot to show that in my problem.

mertsj · Answer

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