Quadratic equations
- Thread starter sharon36
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Use the zero property (your book might use a different name) by factoring the quadratic (you've already learned how to do this) and then setting each factor equal to zero.
The zero property, by whatever name, says something along the lines of "The only way a product can be zero is for at least one of the factors to be zero." The application in this case is that the only way, say, (x + 5)(x - 2) can equal zero is for x + 5 to equal zero or for x - 2 to equal zero. Then x = -5 or x = 2, which solves the quadratic equation x<sup>2</sup> + 3x - 10 = 0.
So factor, set the factors equal to zero, and solve.
Eliz.
The zero property, by whatever name, says something along the lines of "The only way a product can be zero is for at least one of the factors to be zero." The application in this case is that the only way, say, (x + 5)(x - 2) can equal zero is for x + 5 to equal zero or for x - 2 to equal zero. Then x = -5 or x = 2, which solves the quadratic equation x<sup>2</sup> + 3x - 10 = 0.
So factor, set the factors equal to zero, and solve.
Eliz.
Go here, Sharon: http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/62884.html