IF you mean [tex]3 x^{2} -16=131[/tex], then the following would be a solution:
First add 16 to both sides of the equation:
[tex]3 x^{2} = 147[/tex]
Now divide both sides of the equation by 3:
[tex] x^{2} =49[/tex]
Take the square root of both sides to solve for "X", or simply solve by inspection: "what number(s) can be squared to get 49?"
Answer: -7 and 7 So the smallest solution would be "-7"
