Question

What is the answer to p2+14p-38=0

Answer 1

2p+14p=38
16p = 38
p = 38/16
p = 2.375

Answer 2

Answer:

p = -7 ±√87

Step-by-step explanation:

p2+14p-38=0 would be clearer if written as p^2+14p-38=0:  use " ^ " for exponentiation.

Let's "complete the square" to solve this quadratic equation:

Taking half of the coefficient of the p term, which is 14, yields 7.

Squaring this result yields 49.

Add this 49 to p^2 + 14p and also add 49 to the right side, obtaining:

p^2 + 14p + 49 - 38 = 49

Rewriting p^2 + 14p + 49 as a perfect square, we get:

(p + 7)^2 = 87

Let's now find p.  Take the square root of both sides, obtaining

p + 7 = ±√87

Isolate p by subtracting 7 from both sides:

p = -7 ±√87

These are the "solutions" or "roots" or "zeros" of p^2+14p-38=0.