Second Example: One Repeated Solution

Examine the following problem.

We are using decimal numbers in place of fractions here, but this is a matter of choice. Using decimal numbers will not require us to use the Quadratic Formula any differently.

In this case, the equation is already in the correct format. Using "ax² + bx + c = 0," we must now determine a, b, and c.

Now we can substitute into the Quadratic Formula:

Now we begin simplifying by replacing (22)² with 484.

Simplifying multiplication, we see that -4(10)(12.1) is equal to -484, and 2(10) is equal to 20.

Notice that we cannot create two different subproblems because +0 and -0 are the same value. Therefore, we simply drop the ±0 from the problem.

Without the two subproblems, we will only have one solution.

Proceed to the next page for a note about imaginary and complex number solutions.