Quadratic formula step by step

Is that supposed to be x² -4x -5 = 0 or x²-4-5=0 as written?  We'll do both.

As written it's

x²=9 so x=±3, no quadratic formula required.

Let's assume you meant

x² -4x - 5 = 0

So much temptation.  This factors as

(x-5)(x+1)=0 so roots x=5, x=-1.  But that didn't use the quadratic formula..

There's a shortcut to the quadratic formula called the Shakespeare Quadratic Formula (2b or -2b) that's useful when the linear term is even.

In that case x²-2bx+c has zeros at z=b±√(b²-c)

x = 2 ± √(4 - -5) = 2 ± √9 = 2 ± 3 = { -1 , 5 }

OK, let's do it like they want

x² - 4x - 5 = 0

We have a=1, b=-4, c=-5 and the quadratic formula

x=-1 or x=5