What are the solutions of the equation [tex](x+2)^2 + 12(x+2) - 14 = 0[/tex]?

Use [tex]u[/tex] substitution and the quadratic formula to solve.

A. [tex]x = -8 \pm 5 \sqrt{2}[/tex]
B. [tex]x = -6 \pm 5 \sqrt{2}[/tex]
C. [tex]x = -4 \pm 5 \sqrt{2}[/tex]
D. [tex]x = -2 \pm 5 \sqrt{2}[/tex]



Answer :

To solve the equation \((x+2)^2 + 12(x+2) - 14 = 0\) using \(u\) substitution and the quadratic formula, let's follow these steps:

1. Substitution:
Introduce a substitution \( u = x + 2 \). This simplifies the equation because it reduces the complexity. Substitute \( u \) into the equation:
[tex]\[ (x+2)^2 + 12(x+2) - 14 = 0 \][/tex]
becomes:
[tex]\[ u^2 + 12u - 14 = 0 \][/tex]

2. Quadratic Formula:
The quadratic formula states that for any quadratic equation of the form \( au^2 + bu + c = 0 \), the solutions can be found using:
[tex]\[ u = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \][/tex]
Here, \( a = 1 \), \( b = 12 \), and \( c = -14 \). Substitute these values into the quadratic formula to find \( u \):
[tex]\[ u = \frac{-12 \pm \sqrt{12^2 - 4 \cdot 1 \cdot (-14)}}{2 \cdot 1} \][/tex]

Calculate the discriminant:
[tex]\[ \Delta = b^2 - 4ac = 12^2 - 4 \cdot 1 \cdot (-14) = 144 + 56 = 200 \][/tex]

Now, solve for \( u \):
[tex]\[ u = \frac{-12 \pm \sqrt{200}}{2} \][/tex]
Since \(\sqrt{200} = 10\sqrt{2}\),
[tex]\[ u = \frac{-12 \pm 10\sqrt{2}}{2} = -6 \pm 5\sqrt{2} \][/tex]
Thus, the solutions for \( u \) are:
[tex]\[ u_1 = -6 + 5\sqrt{2}, \quad u_2 = -6 - 5\sqrt{2} \][/tex]

3. Back Substitution:
Recall that \( u = x + 2 \). We need to solve for \( x \):
[tex]\[ u_1 = x + 2 \implies x_1 = u_1 - 2 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ u_2 = x + 2 \implies x_2 = u_2 - 2 \][/tex]

Substitute the values of \( u_1 \) and \( u_2 \) back:
[tex]\[ x_1 = -6 + 5\sqrt{2} - 2 = -8 + 5\sqrt{2} \][/tex]
[tex]\[ x_2 = -6 - 5\sqrt{2} - 2 = -8 - 5\sqrt{2} \][/tex]

Therefore, the solutions are:
[tex]\[ x = -8 \pm 5\sqrt{2} \][/tex]

Hence, after all the steps, the solutions to the equation \((x+2)^2 + 12(x+2) - 14 = 0\) are:
[tex]\[ x = -8 \pm 5\sqrt{2} \][/tex]

So, the correct answer is:
[tex]\[ x = -8 \pm 5\sqrt{2} \][/tex]