Solve - 2x2 - 16x - 44 = 0. x equals negative 8 plus or minus I square root of 6 x equals negative 8 plus or minus 2i square root of 6 x equals negative 4 plus or minus i square root of 6 x equals negative 4 plus or minus 2i square root of 6

I would immediately reduce this by div. every term by - 2:

x^2 + 8x + 22 = 0

Next, I'd "complete the square:"

x^2 + 8x + (4) ^2 - (4) ^2 + 22 = 0

(x + 4) ^2 - 16 + 22 = 0, so that (x+4) ^2 + 4 = 0.

Then sqrt ((x+4) ^2 = sqrt (-4)

x+4 = plus or minus i*2

x = - 4 plus or minus i*2 (answer)