Step 1 of 2 : Find the values of \( a, b \), and \( c \) that should be used in the quadratic formula to determine the solution

To solve a quadratic equation of the form \( ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \), you need to identify the coefficients \( a \), \( b \), and \( c \) from the equation. The coefficient \( a \) is the coefficient of \( x^2 \), \( b \) is the coefficient of \( x \), and \( c \) is the constant term. Simply substitute the values from your specific equation into these variables to proceed with using the quadratic formula. For example, if you have the equation \( 2x^2 - 4x + 1 = 0 \), then \( a = 2 \), \( b = -4 \), and \( c = 1 \). With these values, you’re all set to plug them into the famous quadratic formula: \( x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \). Now you may embark on calculating the solutions!