There are like terms in this problem. It looks scary but if we combine our like terms it makes it a lot easier. Also, like terms are terms with the same variables that are at the same power.
So add 7a^2 and -3a^2
You'll get the following sum:
4a^2
Add -17a and 2a
You'll get the following sum:
-15a
So our new problem looks like this:
4a^2 - 15a = 0
Factor out the variable "a." Leaving you with this:
We can rewrite the problem like this:
4a^2 - 15a + 0 = 0
Now we can use the quadratic equation!
\(\frac{-b \frac{+}{-} \sqrt{b^2-4ac} }{2a}\)
Where +/- is simply the add or divide symbol. Now let's plug in our numbers!
\(\frac{-(-15) \frac{+}{-} \sqrt{(-15)^{2}-4*4*0} }{2*4}\)
Simplifying a bit you get the following function:
\(\frac{15 \frac{+}{-} \sqrt{225} }{8}\)
sqrt(225) = 15
15 + 15 = 30
30 / 8 = 15/4
15 - 15 = 0
0 / 8 = 0
Your two answers are:
15/4 and 0
