Problem

Simplify the expression: |5x210x+3|

Answer

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Answer

Step 4: Solve for x in each case. If 5(x1)220, then x12/5 or x1+2/5. If 5(x1)22<0, then 12/5<x<1+2/5. So the simplified expression is 5(x1)22 when x12/5 or x1+2/5, and 5(x1)2+2 when 12/5<x<1+2/5.

Steps

Step 1 :Step 1: Factor the polynomial inside the absolute value. Here we have |5x210x+3|=|5(x22x)+3|

Step 2 :Step 2: Complete the square inside the absolute value. |5(x22x)+3|=|5[(x1)21]+3|=|5(x1)25+3|=|5(x1)22|

Step 3 :Step 3: An absolute value is always positive, so we have |5(x1)22|0. This means the expression is equal to itself when 5(x1)220 and equal to its opposite when 5(x1)22<0.

Step 4 :Step 4: Solve for x in each case. If 5(x1)220, then x12/5 or x1+2/5. If 5(x1)22<0, then 12/5<x<1+2/5. So the simplified expression is 5(x1)22 when x12/5 or x1+2/5, and 5(x1)2+2 when 12/5<x<1+2/5.

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