Solve 2x² - 4 = 0
The solutions of 2x² - 4 = 0 are x = √2 or x = -√2, that is x ≈ 1.4142136 and x ≈ -1.4142136.
Change a, b or c (whole numbers, a not 0) and the exact solutions follow.
How to work it out
- 1
Write it in standard form a x² + b x + c = 0 and read off the coefficients: a = 2, b = 0, c = -4.
- 2
Work out the discriminant D = b² − 4ac. Its sign tells you how many real solutions there are.
- 3
D is positive, so there are two different real solutions.
- 4
The quadratic formula works for every quadratic:
- 5
Simplify (pull the square out of the root) to get the solutions:
- 6
As decimals: x ≈ 1.4142136 and x ≈ -1.4142136.
- 7
Check numerically: for x ≈ 1.4142136 the left side is 8.8817842e-16 (zero up to rounding) ✓
LaTeX source of the formulas on this page
\[ 2x^2 - 4 = 0\ \Rightarrow\ x = \sqrt{2},\ -\sqrt{2} \]
\[ 2x^2 - 4 = 0 \]
\[ D = 0^2 - 4\cdot2\cdot(-4) = 0 + 32 = 32 \]
\[ x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{D}}{2a} = \frac{0 \pm \sqrt{32}}{4} \]
\[ x = \sqrt{2}\quad\text{or}\quad x = -\sqrt{2} \]The parabola y = 2x² - 4
| x | y |
|---|---|
| -3 | 14 |
| -2 | 4 |
| -1 | -2 |
| 0 | -4 |
| 1 | -2 |
| 2 | 4 |
| 3 | 14 |
Questions
What are the solutions of 2x² - 4 = 0?
The solutions of 2x² - 4 = 0 are x = √2 or x = -√2, that is x ≈ 1.4142136 and x ≈ -1.4142136.
Does 2x² - 4 = 0 factor?
Not over the integers, because the discriminant 32 is not a perfect square. Use the quadratic formula.
What is the vertex of y = 2x² - 4?
(0, -4). The parabola opens upwards, so this is the minimum.
What are the sum and product of the roots?
Sum = −b/a = 0, product = c/a = -2.