Complex Roots: Solving for the Number and Identification

[Corkery]

Homework Statement

State the number of complex roots and then identify what the roots are.

Equation:
18x^2 + 3x -1 = 0

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

There are 2 complex roots.

Okay. So I can't factor anything out of the equation and when you try to factor it by hand it doesn't work. So what should I do? quadratic formula? Please help me.

 

[cristo]

I would use the quadratic formula, yes.

 

[Dick]

Yes, quadratic formula.

 

[Corkery]

thanks.

 

[bala.l]

You can factor out the polynomial as
18x^2 + 6x - 3x - 1
= 6x(3x+1) - (3x+1)
= (6x-1) (3x+1)

 

[HallsofIvy]

I wish you would stop titling these "complex roots". So far none of the problems you have posted has had complex roots!

 

[Corkery]

oh sorry. In my book that section says "complex roots" but next time I will try my best to label it appropriately.