Concept:
For a quadratic equation \( ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \), the sum of roots (\( S \)) and product of roots (\( P \)) are given by:
\[ S = x_1 + x_2 = -\frac{b}{a}, \quad P = x_1 x_2 = \frac{c}{a} \]
The expression \( x_1^2 + x_2^2 \) can be rewritten using these identities as \( (x_1 + x_2)^2 - 2x_1x_2 \).
Step 1: Finding the sum and product of the roots.
From the equation \( 3x^2 - 2x - 6 = 0 \), we identify \( a=3, b=-2, c=-6 \):
\[
x_1 + x_2 = -\frac{-2}{3} = \frac{2}{3}
\]
\[
x_1 x_2 = \frac{-6}{3} = -2
\]
Step 2: Calculating \( x_1^2 + x_2^2 \).
Substitute the values into the identity:
\[
x_1^2 + x_2^2 = \left( \frac{2}{3} \right)^2 - 2(-2)
\]
\[
= \frac{4}{9} + 4 = \frac{4 + 36}{9} = \frac{40}{9}
\]