Solve for x in the equation x squared + 2 x + 1 = 17.
a) x = negative 1 plus-or-minus startroot 15 endroot
b) x = negative 1 plus-or-minus startroot 17 endroot
c) x = negative 2 plus-or-minus 2 startroot 5 endroot
d) x = negative 1 plus-or-minus startroot 13 endroot

B) x = negative 1 plus-or-minus StartRoot 17 EndRoot

Step-by-step explanation:

The given equation is x squared + 2 x + 1 = 17. It is written as

x^2 + 2x + 1 = 17

It is a quadratic equation. The general form of a quadratic equation is ax^2 + bx + c

Rearranging the given equation, it becomes

x^2 + 2x + 1 - 17 = 0

x^2 + 2x - 16 = 0

We will apply the general formula for quadratic equation. It is expressed as

x = [-b ± √(b^2 - 4ac)]/2a

From the equation,

a = 1

b = 2

c = -16

x = [-2 ± √(2^2 - 4×1×-16)]/2×1

x = [-2 ± √(4 + 64)]/2

x = (-2 ± √68)/2

x = (-2 ± 2√17)/2

x = (-2 + 2√17)/2 or x = (-2 - 2√17)/2

x = -1 + √17 or x = -1 - √17