Solve -2x² + 7x + 12 = 0
The solutions of -2x² + 7x + 12 = 0 are x = (7 + √145)/4 or x = (7 - √145)/4, that is x ≈ -1.2603986 and x ≈ 4.7603986.
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 = 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 ≈ -1.2603986 and x ≈ 4.7603986.
- 7
Check numerically: for x ≈ -1.2603986 the left side is 0 (zero up to rounding) ✓
LaTeX source of the formulas on this page
\[ -2x^2 + 7x + 12 = 0\ \Rightarrow\ x = \frac{7 + \sqrt{145}}{4},\ \frac{7 - \sqrt{145}}{4} \]
\[ -2x^2 + 7x + 12 = 0 \]
\[ D = 7^2 - 4\cdot(-2)\cdot12 = 49 + 96 = 145 \]
\[ x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{D}}{2a} = \frac{-7 \pm \sqrt{145}}{-4} \]
\[ x = \frac{7 + \sqrt{145}}{4}\quad\text{or}\quad x = \frac{7 - \sqrt{145}}{4} \]The parabola y = -2x² + 7x + 12
| x | y |
|---|---|
| -1.25 | 0.125 |
| -0.25 | 10.125 |
| 0.75 | 16.125 |
| 1.75 | 18.125 |
| 2.75 | 16.125 |
| 3.75 | 10.125 |
| 4.75 | 0.125 |
Questions
What are the solutions of -2x² + 7x + 12 = 0?
The solutions of -2x² + 7x + 12 = 0 are x = (7 + √145)/4 or x = (7 - √145)/4, that is x ≈ -1.2603986 and x ≈ 4.7603986.
Does -2x² + 7x + 12 = 0 factor?
Not over the integers, because the discriminant 145 is not a perfect square. Use the quadratic formula.
What is the vertex of y = -2x² + 7x + 12?
(7/4, 145/8). The parabola opens downwards, so this is the maximum.
What are the sum and product of the roots?
Sum = −b/a = 7/2, product = c/a = -6.