How do you solve #x^2-18x=-32#?

1 Answer
Aug 29, 2017

Start by turning it into a quadratic equation in standard form...

Explanation:

...by adding 32 to both sides. You then have:

#x^2 - 18x + 32 = 0#

And then you might be able to factor it directly. By noting that
#-2 * -16 = 32# and #-2 - 16 = -18#

#(x - 2)(x-16) = 0#

...so then you can see that if x = 2 or x = 16, then the equation is true.