Question

what is the first step in solving the quadratic equation $x^2 = \frac{9}{16}$? subtract $\frac{9}{16}$ from both sides of the equation. 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.

Explanation:

The quadratic equation is in the form \(x^2 = c\), where \(c = \frac{9}{16}\). To isolate \(x\), the most direct first step is to undo the squaring operation by taking the square root of both sides. Other steps would either move the constant unnecessarily or complicate the equation further.

Answer:

Take the square root of both sides of the equation.