a^2-10a-17=0

Solution for a^2-10a-17=0 equation:

a^2-10a-17=0

a = 1; b = -10; c = -17;
Δ = b2-4ac
Δ = -102-4·1·(-17)
Δ = 168
The delta value is higher than zero, so the equation has two solutions
We use following formulas to calculate our solutions:
$a_{1}=\frac{-b-\sqrt{\Delta}}{2a}$
$a_{2}=\frac{-b+\sqrt{\Delta}}{2a}$

The end solution:

$\sqrt{\Delta}=\sqrt{168}=\sqrt{4*42}=\sqrt{4}*\sqrt{42}=2\sqrt{42}$
$a_{1}=\frac{-b-\sqrt{\Delta}}{2a}=\frac{-(-10)-2\sqrt{42}}{2*1}=\frac{10-2\sqrt{42}}{2}
$
$a_{2}=\frac{-b+\sqrt{\Delta}}{2a}=\frac{-(-10)+2\sqrt{42}}{2*1}=\frac{10+2\sqrt{42}}{2}
$