3X2 plus 4X plus 1 equals?

3x2 + 4x + 1 = ??

This is a quadratic equation. The equation can be made to equal any number and this will determine the corresponding values of x.

EXAMPLE : 3x2 + 4x + 1 = 96 (x = 5 or x = -19/3)

Alternatively, if x is known then this will determine the result.

EXAMPLE : If x = 2 then (3 x 4) + (4 x 2) + 1 = 12 + 8 + 1 = 21

In normal use, a quadratic equation is presented as equal to zero.

In this example : 3x2 + 4x + 1 = 0