a^2+a=72

Solution for a^2+a=72 equation:

Simplifying
a2 + a = 72

Reorder the terms:
a + a2 = 72

Solving
a + a2 = 72

Solving for variable 'a'.

Reorder the terms:
-72 + a + a2 = 72 + -72

Combine like terms: 72 + -72 = 0
-72 + a + a2 = 0

Factor a trinomial.
(-9 + -1a)(8 + -1a) = 0

Subproblem 1
Set the factor '(-9 + -1a)' equal to zero and attempt to solve:

Simplifying
-9 + -1a = 0

Solving
-9 + -1a = 0

Move all terms containing a to the left, all other terms to the right.

Add '9' to each side of the equation.
-9 + 9 + -1a = 0 + 9

Combine like terms: -9 + 9 = 0
0 + -1a = 0 + 9
-1a = 0 + 9

Combine like terms: 0 + 9 = 9
-1a = 9

Divide each side by '-1'.
a = -9

Simplifying
a = -9
Subproblem 2
Set the factor '(8 + -1a)' equal to zero and attempt to solve:

Simplifying
8 + -1a = 0

Solving
8 + -1a = 0

Move all terms containing a to the left, all other terms to the right.

Add '-8' to each side of the equation.
8 + -8 + -1a = 0 + -8

Combine like terms: 8 + -8 = 0
0 + -1a = 0 + -8
-1a = 0 + -8

Combine like terms: 0 + -8 = -8
-1a = -8

Divide each side by '-1'.
a = 8

Simplifying
a = 8
Solution
a = {-9, 8}