Question

solve
x^2-4x-32=0

Answer 1

What methods have you used before to solve such (quadratic) equations?

Just for starters: you may choose from:
1) factoring
2) quadratic formula
3) graphing

Answer 2

x^2 -4x - 32 = 0
The fastest way is to solve it by the Diagonal Sum Method (Google Search)
Roots have different signs (Rule of Signs). Compose factor pairs of c = -32 and find the pair whose sum is -b. Proceeding:(-2, 16)(-4, 8). This sum is 4 = -b. Then, the 2 real roots are: -4 and 8

Answer 3

I like x = [-b +- sqrt(b^2 - 4 a c)]/2 a

quadratic formula for 0 = ax^2 + bx + c