Question

How do you solve `16x^2 - 8x + 1 = 49`?

Answer 1

Solve `16x^2 - 8x + 1 = 47`

Ans: 2 and `-3/2`

Explanation:

The two sides are both perfect squares.
`16x^2 - 8x + 1 = (4x - 1)^2 = 7^2`
`(4x - 1) = +- 7`

4x - 1 = 7 --> 4x = 8 --> `x = 2`

4x - 1 = -7 --> 4x = -6 --> `x = -6/4 = -3/2`