Question

How do you solve `4x²-12=0`?

Answer 1

`x = +- 3`

Explanation:

`4x^2-12=0`

`=>4(x^2-3)=0`

`=>x^2-3 = 0`

`=>x^2 = 3`

`=>x = +- 3`

Answer 2

`x = +-sqrt3`

Explanation:

Step 1:
Put all terms with `x` on one side of the equation and all terms without `x` on the other side of the equation.
`4x^2 - 12 = 0`
`4x^2 = 12`

Step 2:
Divide the equation (both sides) by largest common coefficient of 4.
`x^2 = 3`

Step 3:
Square the equation (both sides) to obtain `x` on one side as the subject of the equation (what you want to find).
Because 3 cannot be square-rooted to a whole answer, leave your answer in the root form.
`x = +-sqrt3`

Note:
In Step 2, you divided the equation by the coefficient 4. Take note that you cannot divide an equation by what you are finding (which in this case is `x`), especially if you have a quadratic equation (an equation with `x^n` where `n` is any real number).
In Step 3, remember to always add the `+-` after square-rooting unless you are doing an equation for real-world values (where there are no negative answers).