123456789
of 9

Solving Equations by Factoring

TRY IT:

Solve   x^2 - 6x + 9 = 0

You've got the idea now. The factoring just gets messier.

Solve  3x^2 + 13x - 10 = 0

Factor: ( 3x - 2 ) ( x + 5 ) = 0 ... Blobs = 0: 3x - 2 = 0 or x + 5 = 0 ... Solve: add 2 to both sides of the first equation and subtract 5 from both sides of the second equation, which gives 3x = 2 or x = -5 (done) ... then, divide both sides of the first equation by 3, which gives x = 2/3

{ -5, 2/3 }

YOUR TURN:

Solve  8x^2 - 26x - 7 = 0