Solve 5x² - 5x - 12 = 0
The solutions of 5x² - 5x - 12 = 0 are x = (5 + √265)/10 or x = (5 - √265)/10, that is x ≈ 2.1278821 and x ≈ -1.1278821.
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 = 5, b = -5, c = -12.
- 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 ≈ 2.1278821 and x ≈ -1.1278821.
- 7
Check numerically: for x ≈ 2.1278821 the left side is 0 (zero up to rounding) ✓
LaTeX source of the formulas on this page
\[ 5x^2 - 5x - 12 = 0\ \Rightarrow\ x = \frac{5 + \sqrt{265}}{10},\ \frac{5 - \sqrt{265}}{10} \]
\[ 5x^2 - 5x - 12 = 0 \]
\[ D = (-5)^2 - 4\cdot5\cdot(-12) = 25 + 240 = 265 \]
\[ x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{D}}{2a} = \frac{5 \pm \sqrt{265}}{10} \]
\[ x = \frac{5 + \sqrt{265}}{10}\quad\text{or}\quad x = \frac{5 - \sqrt{265}}{10} \]The parabola y = 5x² - 5x - 12
| x | y |
|---|---|
| -2.5 | 31.75 |
| -1.5 | 6.75 |
| -0.5 | -8.25 |
| 0.5 | -13.25 |
| 1.5 | -8.25 |
| 2.5 | 6.75 |
| 3.5 | 31.75 |
Questions
What are the solutions of 5x² - 5x - 12 = 0?
The solutions of 5x² - 5x - 12 = 0 are x = (5 + √265)/10 or x = (5 - √265)/10, that is x ≈ 2.1278821 and x ≈ -1.1278821.
Does 5x² - 5x - 12 = 0 factor?
Not over the integers, because the discriminant 265 is not a perfect square. Use the quadratic formula.
What is the vertex of y = 5x² - 5x - 12?
(1/2, -53/4). The parabola opens upwards, so this is the minimum.
What are the sum and product of the roots?
Sum = −b/a = 1, product = c/a = -12/5.