You need to get the ^2 by itself. 4(x - 2)^2 = 25 Divide both sides by 4 (x - 2)^2 = 25/4 To clear the power of 2 take the square root of each side. When you take the square root you get two answers, a "+" and a "-". x - 2 = + - sqrt (25/4) x - 2 = + - 5/2 add 2 to both sides x = 2 + - 5/2 x = 2 + 5/2 = 4.5 x = 2 - 5/2 = -0.5
