Solve 2x² - 9x - 7 = 0
The solutions of 2x² - 9x - 7 = 0 are x = (9 + √137)/4 or x = (9 - √137)/4, that is x ≈ 5.176175 and x ≈ -0.67617498.
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 = -9, c = -7.
- 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 ≈ 5.176175 and x ≈ -0.67617498.
- 7
Check numerically: for x ≈ 5.176175 the left side is 0 (zero up to rounding) ✓
LaTeX source of the formulas on this page
\[ 2x^2 - 9x - 7 = 0\ \Rightarrow\ x = \frac{9 + \sqrt{137}}{4},\ \frac{9 - \sqrt{137}}{4} \]
\[ 2x^2 - 9x - 7 = 0 \]
\[ D = (-9)^2 - 4\cdot2\cdot(-7) = 81 + 56 = 137 \]
\[ x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{D}}{2a} = \frac{9 \pm \sqrt{137}}{4} \]
\[ x = \frac{9 + \sqrt{137}}{4}\quad\text{or}\quad x = \frac{9 - \sqrt{137}}{4} \]The parabola y = 2x² - 9x - 7
| x | y |
|---|---|
| -0.75 | 0.875 |
| 0.25 | -9.125 |
| 1.25 | -15.125 |
| 2.25 | -17.125 |
| 3.25 | -15.125 |
| 4.25 | -9.125 |
| 5.25 | 0.875 |
Questions
What are the solutions of 2x² - 9x - 7 = 0?
The solutions of 2x² - 9x - 7 = 0 are x = (9 + √137)/4 or x = (9 - √137)/4, that is x ≈ 5.176175 and x ≈ -0.67617498.
Does 2x² - 9x - 7 = 0 factor?
Not over the integers, because the discriminant 137 is not a perfect square. Use the quadratic formula.
What is the vertex of y = 2x² - 9x - 7?
(9/4, -137/8). The parabola opens upwards, so this is the minimum.
What are the sum and product of the roots?
Sum = −b/a = 9/2, product = c/a = -7/2.