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In this section you will:
• Solve quadratic equations by factoring.
• Solve quadratic equations by the square root property.
• Solve quadratic equations by completing the square.

The computer monitor on the left in [link] is a 23.6-inch model and the one on the right is a 27-inch model. Proportionally, the monitors appear very similar. If there is a limited amount of space and we desire the largest monitor possible, how do we decide which one to choose? In this section, we will learn how to solve problems such as this using four different methods.

## Solving quadratic equations by factoring

An equation containing a second-degree polynomial is called a quadratic equation    . For example, equations such as $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}2{x}^{2}+3x-1=0\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ and $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}{x}^{2}-4=0\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ are quadratic equations. They are used in countless ways in the fields of engineering, architecture, finance, biological science, and, of course, mathematics.

Often the easiest method of solving a quadratic equation is factoring . Factoring means finding expressions that can be multiplied together to give the expression on one side of the equation.

If a quadratic equation can be factored, it is written as a product of linear terms. Solving by factoring depends on the zero-product property, which states that if $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}a\cdot b=0,$ then $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}a=0\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ or $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}b=0,$ where a and b are real numbers or algebraic expressions. In other words, if the product of two numbers or two expressions equals zero, then one of the numbers or one of the expressions must equal zero because zero multiplied by anything equals zero.

Multiplying the factors expands the equation to a string of terms separated by plus or minus signs. So, in that sense, the operation of multiplication undoes the operation of factoring. For example, expand the factored expression $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}\left(x-2\right)\left(x+3\right)\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ by multiplying the two factors together.

$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill \left(x-2\right)\left(x+3\right)& =& {x}^{2}+3x-2x-6\hfill \\ & =& {x}^{2}+x-6\hfill \end{array}$

The product is a quadratic expression. Set equal to zero, $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}{x}^{2}+x-6=0\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ is a quadratic equation. If we were to factor the equation, we would get back the factors we multiplied.

The process of factoring a quadratic equation depends on the leading coefficient, whether it is 1 or another integer. We will look at both situations; but first, we want to confirm that the equation is written in standard form, $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}a{x}^{2}+bx+c=0,$ where a , b , and c are real numbers, and $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}a\ne 0.\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ The equation $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}{x}^{2}+x-6=0\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ is in standard form.

We can use the zero-product property to solve quadratic equations in which we first have to factor out the greatest common factor    (GCF), and for equations that have special factoring formulas as well, such as the difference of squares, both of which we will see later in this section.

## The zero-product property and quadratic equations

The zero-product property    states

where a and b are real numbers or algebraic expressions.

A quadratic equation    is an equation containing a second-degree polynomial; for example

$a{x}^{2}+bx+c=0$

where a , b , and c are real numbers, and if $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}a\ne 0,$ it is in standard form.

In the quadratic equation $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}{x}^{2}+x-6=0,$ the leading coefficient, or the coefficient of $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}{x}^{2},$ is 1. We have one method of factoring quadratic equations in this form.

f(x)=x/x+2 given g(x)=1+2x/1-x show that gf(x)=1+2x/3
proof
AUSTINE
sebd me some questions about anything ill solve for yall
how to solve x²=2x+8 factorization?
x=2x+8 x-2x=2x+8-2x x-2x=8 -x=8 -x/-1=8/-1 x=-8 prove: if x=-8 -8=2(-8)+8 -8=-16+8 -8=-8 (PROVEN)
Manifoldee
x=2x+8
Manifoldee
×=2x-8 minus both sides by 2x
Manifoldee
so, x-2x=2x+8-2x
Manifoldee
then cancel out 2x and -2x, cuz 2x-2x is obviously zero
Manifoldee
so it would be like this: x-2x=8
Manifoldee
then we all know that beside the variable is a number (1): (1)x-2x=8
Manifoldee
so we will going to minus that 1-2=-1
Manifoldee
so it would be -x=8
Manifoldee
so next step is to cancel out negative number beside x so we get positive x
Manifoldee
so by doing it you need to divide both side by -1 so it would be like this: (-1x/-1)=(8/-1)
Manifoldee
so -1/-1=1
Manifoldee
so x=-8
Manifoldee
Manifoldee
so we should prove it
Manifoldee
x=2x+8 x-2x=8 -x=8 x=-8 by mantu from India
mantu
lol i just saw its x²
Manifoldee
x²=2x-8 x²-2x=8 -x²=8 x²=-8 square root(x²)=square root(-8) x=sq. root(-8)
Manifoldee
I mean x²=2x+8 by factorization method
Kristof
I think x=-2 or x=4
Kristof
x= 2x+8 ×=8-2x - 2x + x = 8 - x = 8 both sides divided - 1 -×/-1 = 8/-1 × = - 8 //// from somalia
Mohamed
hii
Amit
how are you
Dorbor
well
Biswajit
can u tell me concepts
Gaurav
Find the possible value of 8.5 using moivre's theorem
which of these functions is not uniformly cintinuous on (0, 1)? sinx
which of these functions is not uniformly continuous on 0,1
solve this equation by completing the square 3x-4x-7=0
X=7
Muustapha
=7
mantu
x=7
mantu
3x-4x-7=0 -x=7 x=-7
Kr
x=-7
mantu
9x-16x-49=0 -7x=49 -x=7 x=7
mantu
what's the formula
Modress
-x=7
Modress
new member
siame
what is trigonometry
deals with circles, angles, and triangles. Usually in the form of Soh cah toa or sine, cosine, and tangent
Thomas
solve for me this equational y=2-x
what are you solving for
Alex
solve x
Rubben
you would move everything to the other side leaving x by itself. subtract 2 and divide -1.
Nikki
then I got x=-2
Rubben
it will b -y+2=x
Alex
goodness. I'm sorry. I will let Alex take the wheel.
Nikki
ouky thanks braa
Rubben
I think he drive me safe
Rubben
how to get 8 trigonometric function of tanA=0.5, given SinA=5/13? Can you help me?m
More example of algebra and trigo
What is Indices
If one side only of a triangle is given is it possible to solve for the unkown two sides?
cool
Rubben
kya
Khushnama
please I need help in maths
Okey tell me, what's your problem is?
Navin