Changes

We can now take the square root:

We can now take the square root:

::<math>x - 5/2 = +- 1/2\,</math>

::<math>x - 5/2 = \pm 1/2\,</math>

The "±" indicates that the 1/2 is either positive or negative.  The result is thus

The "±" indicates that the 1/2 is either positive or negative.  The result is thus

::<math>x = 5/2 +- 1/2\,</math>

::<math>x = 5/2 \pm 1/2\,</math>

Since 5/2 + 1/2 = 3, and 5/2 - 1/2 = 2, this is equivalent to the result obtained through factoring.

Since 5/2 + 1/2 = 3, and 5/2 - 1/2 = 2, this is equivalent to the result obtained through factoring.