Solve -x² - 9x - 8 = 0
The solutions of -x² - 9x - 8 = 0 are x = -8 or x = -1.
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 = -9, c = -8.
- 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 = -8 back in: a·x² + b·x + c = -1·(64) + (-9)·(-8) + (-8) = 0 ✓
LaTeX source of the formulas on this page
\[ -x^2 - 9x - 8 = 0\ \Rightarrow\ x = -8,\ -1 \]
\[ -x^2 - 9x - 8 = 0 \]
\[ D = (-9)^2 - 4\cdot(-1)\cdot(-8) = 81 - 32 = 49 \]
\[ -\left(x + 8\right)\left(x + 1\right) = 0 \]
\[ x + 8 = 0 \Rightarrow x = -8\qquad x + 1 = 0 \Rightarrow x = -1 \]
\[ x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{D}}{2a} = \frac{9 \pm \sqrt{49}}{-2} \]
\[ x = -8\quad\text{or}\quad x = -1 \]The parabola y = -x² - 9x - 8
| x | y |
|---|---|
| -7.5 | 3.25 |
| -6.5 | 8.25 |
| -5.5 | 11.25 |
| -4.5 | 12.25 |
| -3.5 | 11.25 |
| -2.5 | 8.25 |
| -1.5 | 3.25 |
Questions
What are the solutions of -x² - 9x - 8 = 0?
The solutions of -x² - 9x - 8 = 0 are x = -8 or x = -1.
Does -x² - 9x - 8 = 0 factor?
Yes: -1(x+8)(x+1) = 0.
What is the vertex of y = -x² - 9x - 8?
(-9/2, 49/4). The parabola opens downwards, so this is the maximum.
What are the sum and product of the roots?
Sum = −b/a = -9, product = c/a = 8.