Solve 2x² + 7x + 6 = 0
The solutions of 2x² + 7x + 6 = 0 are x = -3/2 or x = -2.
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 = 7, c = 6.
- 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
Method 1, factoring. The roots are rational, so the left side factors:
- 5
A product is zero when one of its factors is zero, so set each factor equal to 0 and solve:
- 6
Method 2, The quadratic formula works for every quadratic:
- 7
Simplify to get the solutions:
- 8
Check by putting x = -3/2 back in: a·x² + b·x + c = 2·(9/4) + 7·(-3/2) + 6 = 0 ✓
LaTeX source of the formulas on this page
\[ 2x^2 + 7x + 6 = 0\ \Rightarrow\ x = -\frac{3}{2},\ -2 \]
\[ 2x^2 + 7x + 6 = 0 \]
\[ D = 7^2 - 4\cdot2\cdot6 = 49 - 48 = 1 \]
\[ \left(2x + 3\right)\left(x + 2\right) = 0 \]
\[ 2x + 3 = 0 \Rightarrow x = -\frac{3}{2}\qquad x + 2 = 0 \Rightarrow x = -2 \]
\[ x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{D}}{2a} = \frac{-7 \pm \sqrt{1}}{4} \]
\[ x = -\frac{3}{2}\quad\text{or}\quad x = -2 \]The parabola y = 2x² + 7x + 6
| x | y |
|---|---|
| -4.75 | 17.875 |
| -3.75 | 7.875 |
| -2.75 | 1.875 |
| -1.75 | -0.125 |
| -0.75 | 1.875 |
| 0.25 | 7.875 |
| 1.25 | 17.875 |
Questions
What are the solutions of 2x² + 7x + 6 = 0?
The solutions of 2x² + 7x + 6 = 0 are x = -3/2 or x = -2.
Does 2x² + 7x + 6 = 0 factor?
Yes: (2x+3)(x+2) = 0.
What is the vertex of y = 2x² + 7x + 6?
(-7/4, -1/8). The parabola opens upwards, so this is the minimum.
What are the sum and product of the roots?
Sum = −b/a = -7/2, product = c/a = 3.