<s>[INST] Solving for x with exponents (algebra) So I am trying to help a friend do her homework and I am a bit stuck. 
$$8x+3 = 3x^2$$
I can look at this and see that the answer is $3$, but I am having a hard time remembering how to solve for $x$ in this situation. 
Could someone be so kind as to break down the steps in solving for $x$.
Thanks in advance for replies. 
 [/INST] Here's a way without the formula. Using "completing the square"
\begin{align*}
3x^2-8x-3&=0\\
x^2-\frac{8}{3}x-1&=0\\
\left(x-\frac{4}{3}\right)^2-\frac{16}{9}-1&=0\\
x-\frac{4}{3}&=\pm \sqrt{\frac{25}{9}}\\
x &= \frac{4}{3}\pm \frac{5}{3}\\
x = \frac{9}{3} = 3\ \ &\mathrm{or}\ \ x = -\frac{1}{3}.
\end{align*}
</s>