Solving Quadratic Equations by Factoring

Introduction:

A quadratic equation is an equation of degree 2 that is in the form x squared plus bc plus c equals 0. If the equation can be factored, then we are able to find the roots or x- intercepts of the quadratic function associated with the equation.

Example 1: Solve x( squared -3x equals 0.
Solution 1: factor the left handed side and solve for x(x-3) equals 0. Therefore x equals 0 and x-3 equals 0. X equals 0 or x equals 3.

Example 2: find the roots of the equation x squared – 5 x equals -4.
Solution 2: factor x squared-5x plus 4 equals 0. (X-1)(x-4) equals 0. Therefore x equals 4 or 1.

Conclusion:

The method of factoring doesn’t always work. The quadratic formula always works.