You can start by rewriting the equation so that the right side equals zero. Add \(-7x\) and \(8\) to both sides.
\(x^2+7x+8=0\)
You can now use the quadratic equation (below), where \(a=1, b=7,\) and \(c=8\), to find solutions. Plug in these values for \(a, b,\) and \(c\) into the equation and simplify.
\(\frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2-4(ac)}} {2a}\)
\(\frac{-7 \pm \sqrt{7^2-4(1 \times 8)}} {2 \times 1}\)
\(\frac{-7 \pm \sqrt{49-32}} {2}\)
\(\frac{-7 \pm \sqrt{17}} {2}\)
The final answer is the combination of both solutions.
\(x=\frac{-7}{2} \pm \frac{\sqrt{17}} {2} \approx -3.5 \pm 2.06.\)
Or approximately...
\(x=(-3.5-2.06) \approx -5.56, (-3.5+2.06) \approx-1.44\)
