Answer:
t ≈ -2.014 or 3.647
Step-by-step explanation:
Add the opposite of the expression on the right side of the equal sign to put the equation into standard form.
4.9t² -8t -36 = 0
You can divide by 4.9 to make this a little easier to solve.
t² -(8/4.9)t -36/4.9 = 0
Now, add and subtract the square of half the x-coefficient to "complete the square."
t² -(8/4.9)t +(4/4.9)² -36/4.9 -(4/4.9)² = 0
(t -4/4.9)² -192.4/4.9² = 0 . . . . simplify
Add the constant term, then take the square root.
(t -4/4.9)² = 192.4/4.9²
t -4/4.9 = ±(√192.4)/4.9
t = (4 ± √192.4)/4.9
t ≈ {-2.014, 3.647}
