Question

How do you solve `2x^2-5x=4`?

Answer 1

`2x^2-5x=4`
is equivalent to
`color(white)("XXXXX")` `2x^2-5x-4=0`

For a quadratic in the general form
`color(white)("XXXXX")` `ax^2+bx+c = 0`
the solutions can be obtained using the quadratic root formula
`color(white)("XXXXX")` `x=(-b+-sqrt(b^2-4ac))/(2a)`

In this case the roots are:
`color(white)("XXXXX")` `x = (5+-sqrt(25+32))/4`

`x= (5+sqrt(57))/4` or `x=(5-sqrt(57))/4`