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Equation Given
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x² + 2x = 17
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Add the constant to make it perfect square
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x² + 2x
+ (2/2)² - ²(2/2)² = 17
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Evaluate the brackets
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x² + 2x
+ (1)² - ²(1)² = 17
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Form the perfect square
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(x + 1)² - 1 = 17
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Add 1 to both sides
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(x + 1)² = 17 + 1
(x + 1)² = 18
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Square root both sides
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√(x + 1)² =
√18
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Solve for x
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x = 4.24 - 1 or - 4.24 -1
x = 3.24 or - 5.24 (nearest hundredth)
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Answer: x = x = 3.24 or - 5.24--------------------------------------------------------
