I don't know how to do this problem. It's solving the quadratic equation 2(2x-2)^2 -10=26. I am supposed to isolate (2x-2)^2. So I subtracted 26 and added it to -10 to come up with 2(2x-2)^2-36 and then I divided by 2 and got (2x-2)^2-18 but that's not right either.

Question

I don't know how to do this problem.  It's solving the quadratic equation 2(2x-2)^2 -10=26.  I am supposed to isolate (2x-2)^2.  So I subtracted 26 and added it to -10 to come up with 2(2x-2)^2-36 and then I divided by 2 and got (2x-2)^2-18 but that's not right either.

mathmale · Answer

What standard or standards are y ou using to determine whether your "answer" is correct or not?

2(2x-2)^2 -10=26 can be simplified dramatically before you do anything else.

1) Divide all terms (there are 3) by 2, to "reduce" the equation.  In the case of 2(2x-2), I'd suggest that you divide (2x-2) by 2 and leave the initial '2' alone.

2.  Square the resulting (x-1).  Your result?

3.  Rewrite the "reduced" equation with the expansion of (x-1) squared shown within parentheses.

Share what you've done so far.