Question

Solve by completing the square & quadratic formula:
x^2 6x + 17 = 0

Answer 1

\[x^2+6x+17=0\] or
\[x^2-6x+17=0\]??

Answer 2

Gah, sorry.
x^2 + 6x + 17 = 0

Answer 3

\[x^2+6x=-17\]
\[(x+3)^2=-17+9\]
\[(x+3)^2=-8\] now either you are done because you can't take the root of a negative number, or else you are allowing complex solutions.
which is it?

Answer 4

I'm assuming the second option- some of the answers are things like:
\[x = 3i \sqrt{2}\]

Answer 5

actually if you are using complext numbers it would be
\[x=2\sqrt{2}i\] or
\[x=-2\sqrt{2}i\]

Answer 6

...What is it with me today...?

But, yes, we've been doing complex numbers.