Solve -x² + 2x + 7 = 0
The solutions of -x² + 2x + 7 = 0 are x = 1 + 2√2 or x = 1 - 2√2, that is x ≈ -1.8284271 and x ≈ 3.8284271.
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 = -1, b = 2, 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 ≈ -1.8284271 and x ≈ 3.8284271.
- 7
Check numerically: for x ≈ -1.8284271 the left side is -8.8817842e-16 (zero up to rounding) ✓
LaTeX source of the formulas on this page
\[ -x^2 + 2x + 7 = 0\ \Rightarrow\ x = 1 + 2\sqrt{2},\ 1 - 2\sqrt{2} \]
\[ -x^2 + 2x + 7 = 0 \]
\[ D = 2^2 - 4\cdot(-1)\cdot7 = 4 + 28 = 32 \]
\[ x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{D}}{2a} = \frac{-2 \pm \sqrt{32}}{-2} \]
\[ x = 1 + 2\sqrt{2}\quad\text{or}\quad x = 1 - 2\sqrt{2} \]The parabola y = -x² + 2x + 7
| x | y |
|---|---|
| -2 | -1 |
| -1 | 4 |
| 0 | 7 |
| 1 | 8 |
| 2 | 7 |
| 3 | 4 |
| 4 | -1 |
Questions
What are the solutions of -x² + 2x + 7 = 0?
The solutions of -x² + 2x + 7 = 0 are x = 1 + 2√2 or x = 1 - 2√2, that is x ≈ -1.8284271 and x ≈ 3.8284271.
Does -x² + 2x + 7 = 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 = -x² + 2x + 7?
(1, 8). The parabola opens downwards, so this is the maximum.
What are the sum and product of the roots?
Sum = −b/a = 2, product = c/a = -7.