[mintsharpie]

My class is starting a new unit on Chemical Systems and Equilibrium, and part of our homework was to practice our "mathematical skills" (or lack thereof...) to solve for x in the following three equations.

(0.020)(0.030) = 2.3 x 10^-4
(0.10)x


(2x)^2    = 49
(x-0.20)²


(3x)^2          = 2.0
(x-1.0)(x-3.0)

I have no idea how to isolate the x, so I'm completely lost. My teacher said that we would have to use the quadratic formula, which I understand how to use, but I don't know how to get to that point. Are there certain steps I should follow to solve them? How should I start?

I was also given two questions to answer on dynamic equilibrium. I read the textbook section on it, but I don't understand how to apply that knowledge to answer the following two questions:

1. Use the concept of dynamic equilibrium to describe a saturated solution containing excess solute.

2. How does the construction of a clothes dryer prevent a state of equilibrium from developing while drying clothes?

Could anyone explain to me how the concept of dynamic equilibrium can be applied to answer the above questions?

If anyone can help me answer even one of my questions, I'd really appreciate it.

[nj_bartel]

http://2000clicks.com/MathHelp/FactoringFoil.htm

Once you foil, you get everything to one side, leaving 0 on the other side, from which you can use the quadratic.