how do we use the quadratic formula?

x^2-2x-8=0

This may seem like a really long formula but the steps are simple and easy . First write down what a ,b & c is. A=1 ,B=-2 , C= -8
First find what D equals , B^2-4ac , which is just 36.
Then substitute , 2 +/- the square root of 36 divided by 2 .
Now the square root of 36 is 6 , you do 2+6= 8 & then divided by 2 is 4. Then 2-6=-4/2=-2. So a the end x= 4 , -2.