To solve the quadratic equation \(x^2 - 8x + 4 = 0\), we can use the quadratic formula:
\[ x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \]
In your equation, \(a = 1\), \(b = -8\), and \(c = 4\).
- Calculate the discriminant (\(b^2 - 4ac\)):
\[ b^2 - 4ac = (-8)^2 - 4(1)(4) = 64 - 16 = 48 \]
- Substitute into the quadratic formula:
\[ x = \frac{-(-8) \pm \sqrt{48}}{2(1)} \]
\[ x = \frac{8 \pm \sqrt{48}}{2} \]
- Simplify \(\sqrt{48}\):
\(\sqrt{48} = \sqrt{16 \cdot 3} = 4\sqrt{3}\)
- Continue simplifying:
\[ x = \frac{8 \pm 4\sqrt{3}}{2} \]
\[ x = 4 \pm 2\sqrt{3} \]
So, the solutions to the equation \(x^2 - 8x + 4 = 0\) are:
\[ x = 4 + 2\sqrt{3} \quad \text{and} \quad x = 4 - 2\sqrt{3} \]