x²=12x-5 minus 12x both sides x²-12x=-5 take 1/2 of the linear confident and square it -12/2=-6, (-6)²=36 add that to both sides x²-12x+36=-5+36 factor perfect square (x-6)²=31 sqrt both sides, remember to take positive and negative roots x-6=+/-√31 x=6+/-√31
