Answer :

To solve the quadratic equation [tex]\(8x^2 - 5x - 21 = 0\)[/tex], we need to use the quadratic formula, which is given by:

[tex]\[ x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \][/tex]

where [tex]\(a\)[/tex], [tex]\(b\)[/tex], and [tex]\(c\)[/tex] are the coefficients from the quadratic equation [tex]\(ax^2 + bx + c = 0\)[/tex].

For the given equation [tex]\(8x^2 - 5x - 21 = 0\)[/tex]:

- [tex]\(a = 8\)[/tex]
- [tex]\(b = -5\)[/tex]
- [tex]\(c = -21\)[/tex]

Step 1: Calculate the discriminant

The discriminant ([tex]\(\Delta\)[/tex]) is given by [tex]\(b^2 - 4ac\)[/tex]:

[tex]\[ \Delta = (-5)^2 - 4 \cdot 8 \cdot (-21) \][/tex]

[tex]\[ \Delta = 25 + 672 \][/tex]

[tex]\[ \Delta = 697 \][/tex]

Step 2: Calculate the solutions using the quadratic formula

Since the discriminant is positive ([tex]\(\Delta = 697\)[/tex]), there are two real solutions given by:

[tex]\[ x_1 = \frac{-b + \sqrt{\Delta}}{2a} \][/tex]
[tex]\[ x_2 = \frac{-b - \sqrt{\Delta}}{2a} \][/tex]

Plugging in the values of [tex]\(a\)[/tex], [tex]\(b\)[/tex], and [tex]\(\Delta\)[/tex]:

[tex]\[ x_1 = \frac{-(-5) + \sqrt{697}}{2 \cdot 8} \][/tex]

[tex]\[ x_1 = \frac{5 + \sqrt{697}}{16} \][/tex]

[tex]\[ x_1 \approx 1.9625 \][/tex]

And for the second solution:

[tex]\[ x_2 = \frac{-(-5) - \sqrt{697}}{2 \cdot 8} \][/tex]

[tex]\[ x_2 = \frac{5 - \sqrt{697}}{16} \][/tex]

[tex]\[ x_2 \approx -1.3375 \][/tex]

Conclusion:

The solutions to the quadratic equation [tex]\(8x^2 - 5x - 21 = 0\)[/tex] are approximately:

[tex]\[ x_1 \approx 1.9625 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ x_2 \approx -1.3375 \][/tex]

The discriminant value is [tex]\(697\)[/tex], confirming that there are two distinct real roots for the equation.

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