Answer: The correct expression for the sum of the roots of the quadratic equation \( 2x^2 + 7x - 20 \) is \(-\frac{b}{a} = -\frac{7}{2}\).
Explanation:
This problem involves the application of Vieta’s formulas, which relate the coefficients of a quadratic equation to the sum and product of its roots. For a quadratic equation in the form \( ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \), the sum of the roots \( \alpha + \beta \) is given by \( -\frac{b}{a} \), and the product \( \alpha \beta \) is \( \frac{c}{a} \).
Steps:
- Identify the coefficients: \( a = 2 \), \( b = 7 \), \( c = -20 \).
- Use Vieta’s formula for the sum of roots:
- The options provided include expressions involving \( 2x^2 + 7x - 20 \), and the correct sum of roots is \(-\frac{7}{2}\).
Note: The problem asks for the sum of the roots, not their individual values or the product.