If a number is added to twice its square, the result is 6. How do you find the number?

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2 Answers
Jan 11, 2017

The number could be 1 1/2112 or -22.

Explanation:

From the data, taking the number to be xx, we write:

2x^2+x=62x2+x=6

Subtract 66 from both sides.

2x^2+x-6=02x2+x6=0

Factorise.

2x^2+4x-3x-6=02x2+4x3x6=0

2x(x+2)-3(x+2)=02x(x+2)3(x+2)=0

(2x-3)(x+2)=0(2x3)(x+2)=0

2x-3=02x3=0 or x+2=0x+2=0

x=3/2=1 1/2x=32=112 or x=-2x=2

I get two numbers: x=-2, 6/4=3/2x=2,64=32

Explanation:

Let's have the unknown number be xx.

If a number:

xx

is added to twice it's square:

x+2x^2x+2x2

the result is 6:

x+2x^2=6x+2x2=6

Now let's find the number:

2x^2+x-6=02x2+x6=0

using the quadratic formula:

x=(-b+-sqrt(b^2-4ac))/(2a)x=b±b24ac2a

x=(-1+-sqrt(1^2-4(2)(-6)))/(2(2))x=1±124(2)(6)2(2)

x=(-1+-sqrt(1^2+48))/(4)x=1±12+484

x=(-1+-sqrt(49))/(4)x=1±494

x=(-1+-7)/(4)x=1±74

x=-2, 6/4=3/2x=2,64=32