Solving 5(x + 4)(x + 2) = x^2 + 6x + 8

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Casio1
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on solving the equation 5(x + 4)(x + 2) = x^2 + 6x + 8. Participants clarify that the expression simplifies to 5x^2 + 30x + 40, and emphasize the importance of not removing the factor of 5 without proper context. The conversation also touches on completing the square to find the center of a circle represented by the equation x^2 + y^2 + 6x - 8y + 20 = 0, ultimately leading to the conclusion that the center is at (-3, 4) with a radius of √5.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of polynomial expressions and factoring
  • Knowledge of completing the square method
  • Familiarity with the quadratic formula
  • Basic concepts of circle equations in coordinate geometry
NEXT STEPS
  • Practice factoring polynomials using the distributive property
  • Learn how to complete the square for quadratic equations
  • Study the derivation and application of the quadratic formula
  • Explore the geometric interpretation of circle equations in the Cartesian plane
USEFUL FOR

Students, educators, and anyone interested in algebraic methods for solving quadratic equations and understanding the geometry of circles.

Casio1
Messages
86
Reaction score
0
5(x + 4)(x + 2) = x^2 +2x + 4x + 8

5(x + 4)(x + 2) = x^2 + 6x + 8

5(x + 4)(x + 2) = 5x^2 + 30x + 40

This is the point where I am unsure?

5x^2 + 30x + 40

5 is already a prime, so when I think 10 goes into 30 three times and 10 goes into 40 four times, thus I end up with;

x^2 + 3x + 4 have I completed this correct or should I do it this way;

x^2 + 6x + 5

Thanks
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
i got 5(x+4)(x+2)=5x^2+30x+40
factor out 5 ... =x^2+6x+8
factorize : =(x+4)(x+2)
but i haven't done this stuff for years and am just coming back to it;
offered in spirit of tremulous self-diffidence bordering on readiness-to-chuck-it-in-and-go-back-to-taxi-driving
Godfree (at last, I'm free, nothanks to god, I'm freeeeeee at last)
 
sorry bout that:
can't just spirit that 5 away like that can we:
so, how about: 5(x+4)(x+2)
 
In this last part; 5x^2+30x+40, I am thinking that 5 into 30 goes 6 times and that 5 into 40 goes 8, so I end up with;

x^2 + 6x + 8

Anyone dissagree?
 
Casio said:
In this last part; 5x^2+30x+40, I am thinking that 5 into 30 goes 6 times and that 5 into 40 goes 8, so I end up with;

x^2 + 6x + 8

Anyone dissagree?

Yes, I disagree: like I wrote above: you can't just spirit the 5 away like that, not unless you have an equation which equals 0.
As it is, you have an expression: 5x^2+30x+40
If you factor 5 out of this, you have changed the value of the expression.

What are you trying to do with this? Can I have the context? or a question? or an exercise which you wish to do with this?
Otherwise, as it stands, as I say, it is just an expression, not an equation.
 
It's long winded but what I am trying to do is work out the centre of a circle from a method of completing the square.

I can see there is a problem above because the factors I used cannot be used in the quadratic formula, where a negative cannot have a square root value, so back to the drawing board then?

Basically to continue I will have to by trial and error find the factors of 30 and 40, which there can't be that many?
 
Casio said:
It's long winded but what I am trying to do is work out the centre of a circle from a method of completing the square.

I can see there is a problem above because the factors I used cannot be used in the quadratic formula, where a negative cannot have a square root value, so back to the drawing board then?

Basically to continue I will have to by trial and error find the factors of 30 and 40, which there can't be that many?

What equation are you starting with? The equation of a circle is $(x-a)^2 + (y-b)^2 = r^2$ where (a,b) is the centre and r the radius so we need a y term.

Can you post the original question in full please?

.
edit: generally if you're completing the square you want it in the form $\left(x+\frac{b}{2a}\right)^2 + \frac{b^2-4ac}{4a^2} $. In this case -\frac{b}{2a} is the x-coordinate of the centre
 
Last edited:
This is what I have done so far?

(a) The equation
x^2 + y^2 + 6x - 8y + 20 = 0



Represents a circle

Find its centre and radius



Circle centre (-3, 4), and the radius r2 = 5

Find the coordinates of any points in which the circle in part (a) intersects the line y = -2x – 2.






Factors are


5(x + 4)(x + 2) = (x2 + 2x + 4x + 8)
5(x2 + 2x + 4x + 8) = 5x2 + 10x + 20x + 40
= 5x2 + 30x + 40
At this point I wanted to use the quadratic formula after factoring above but doesn't work because I keep getting a negative solution?
 
Casio said:
This is what I have done so far?

(a) The equation
x^2 + y^2 + 6x - 8y + 20 = 0



Represents a circle

Find its centre and radius



Circle centre (-3, 4), and the radius r2 = 5

Find the coordinates of any points in which the circle in part (a) intersects the line y = -2x – 2.






Factors are


5(x + 4)(x + 2) = (x2 + 2x + 4x + 8)
5(x2 + 2x + 4x + 8) = 5x2 + 10x + 20x + 40
= 5x2 + 30x + 40
At this point I wanted to use the quadratic formula after factoring above but doesn't work because I keep getting a negative solution?


Aha, that makes a lot more sense now. The equation of a circle has both x and y in it (as I posted in post 7). What you want to do is complete the square twice in relation to x and y using the equation given to you.

$(x^2+6x)+(y^2-8y)+20 = 0$ . Complete the square on the left hand side to get it into the form $(x-a)^2+(y-b)^2 = r^2$ which will have centre $(a,b)$ and radius $r$
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K