Group x terms (2x^2+8x)-12=0 undistribute 2 2(x^2+4x)-12=0 take 1/2 of 4 and square it, add negative and positive of it insde (2^2=4) 2(x^2+4x+4-4)-12=0 factor perfect square 2((x+2)^2-4)-12=0 distribute 2(x+2)^2-8-12=0 2(x+2)^2-20=0 add 20 to both sides 2(x+2)^2=20 divide both sides by 2 (x+2)^2=10 sqrt both sides, remember to take positive and negative root x+2=+/-√10 minus 2 both sides
