For this case what we must do is to use the formula of the resolvent in the following way: x = (- b +/- root (b ^ 2 - 4 * a * c)) / (2 * a) Where, a = 1 b = -4 c = -38 Substituting the values: x = (- (- 4) +/- root ((- 4) ^ 2 - 4 * 1 * (- 38))) / (2 * 1) x = (4 +/- root (168)) / 2 x = (2 +/- root (42)) Answer: x = 2 +/- squareroot 42
