Question

what is the first step in solving the quadratic equation $x^2 = \frac{9}{16}$?

• take the square root of both sides of the equation.
• add $\frac{9}{16}$ to both sides of the equation.
• square both sides of the equation.
• subtract $\frac{9}{16}$ from both sides of the equation.

Explanation:

To solve \( x^2=\frac{9}{16} \), we need to isolate \( x \). The equation is already in the form where the square of \( x \) equals a constant. The first logical step is to take the square root of both sides to solve for \( x \). Adding \( \frac{9}{16} \) would make the equation more complex, squaring both sides is unnecessary here, and subtracting \( \frac{9}{16} \) would set the equation to zero (like \( x^2 - \frac{9}{16}=0 \)), but the most direct first step for solving \( x^2 = c \) (where \( c \) is a constant) is taking the square root of both sides.

Answer:

A. Take the square root of both sides of the equation.