Calling all math nerdfighters

[Katie Gem]

I don't get numbers AT ALL, and I desperately need help with my Algebra 2/Trig homework. If anyone feels up to giving it a shot I'd greatly appreciate it. Apparently we're working on the Quadratic Formula. I'm supposed to rewrite equations into general form, ax^2+bx+c=0. This is like a foreign language to me.

[Katie Gem]

There are 75 Nerdfighters online right now. ONE of you has to be good at math...please?

[Meg M.]

What exactly do you have to transfer to the general form?

[Katie Gem]

3x^2-13x=10

That's the first one. My head is spinning.

[Meg M.]

alright...you want to start out by just getting one side to equal 0

so 3x^2-13x-10=0

then you are in the form you want for the quadratic formula

[Terry (Former SoaP)]

But I'm sure you have to solve for X, right Katie?

[Katie Gem]

It says: Rewrite each equation in general form, ax^2+bx+c=0. Identify a, b, and c.

[Meg M.]

so no solving for x...you're getting off easy!

[Katie Gem]

I guess so. I have a TI-89 calculator that can solve most equations for me, anyways. I think I would have failed already without it.

[Katie Gem]

I get it! Is quadratic formula the same as general form?

[Meg M.]

well the general form applies to the quadratic formula...so how the formula has a, b, and c, you just apply the a, b, and c from your general form

[Meg M.]

so your a is 3, your b is -13, and your c is -10.

do you have to go any farther, like with the quadratic formula or simplifying or anything, or do you just need this format?

[Katie Gem]

No, I just have to do the instructions I typed above, at least for these problems. So here's another one like this...

x^2-13=5x

So to switch it to general form, you just make it:

x^2-13-5x=0

Is that right?