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

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving the equation 5(x + 4)(x + 2) = x^2 + 6x + 8, with a focus on factoring, completing the square, and understanding the implications for finding the center of a circle. Participants explore various methods and express uncertainties regarding their calculations and the mathematical principles involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses uncertainty about their factoring process, questioning whether they correctly simplified 5(x + 4)(x + 2) to x^2 + 3x + 4 or x^2 + 6x + 5.
  • Another participant agrees with the expansion of 5(x + 4)(x + 2) to 5x^2 + 30x + 40 but acknowledges a lack of recent practice in this area.
  • Concerns are raised about the validity of removing the factor of 5 from the expression without an equation set to zero, highlighting the distinction between an expression and an equation.
  • A participant indicates they are trying to find the center of a circle using the method of completing the square, noting issues with negative solutions in the quadratic formula.
  • Further clarification is sought regarding the original question and the context of the problem, particularly in relation to the equation of a circle.
  • Another participant suggests completing the square for both x and y in the context of the circle equation, indicating the need to rewrite the equation in a specific form.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the correct approach to factoring and simplifying the equation. There is no consensus on the correct method or outcome, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the best way to proceed with the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various mathematical concepts, including factoring, completing the square, and the implications of negative solutions in the quadratic formula. There are references to the need for a y term in the equation of a circle, indicating potential limitations in the current approach.

Casio1
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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
 
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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 $r$
 

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