Write the quadratic equation in standard form: ax^2 + bx + c = 0
Identify the coefficients a, b, and c
Use the quadratic formula: x = (-b ± √(b^2 – 4ac)) / (2a)
Calculate the discriminant: b^2 – 4ac
Substitute the values of a, b, and c into the formula
Simplify the expression under the square root
Compute both values of x using + and – in the formula
Check the roots by substituting them back into the original equation