Table of Contents

First get all nonzero terms on one side.

Quadratic Equation: Solving by factoring

Example: Solve 6x2 – 13x = 8.

6x2 – 13x – 8 = 0

Second factor completely. 6x2 – 16x + 3x – 8 = 0

Third, set each factor equal to zero.

2x(3x – 8) + 1(3x – 8) = 0

(3x – 8)(2x + 1) = 0

3x – 8 = 0 or 2x + 1 = 0

Last, solve each linear equation.

3x = 8 or 2x = - 1

21

38 xorx

Table of Contents

Quadratic Equation: Solving by factoring

Slide 2

Try to solve 12x2 = 27x – 6. The solution set is .2,41

Notes: Solving 12x2 = 27x – 6 resulted in three factors; 3, 4x – 1, and x – 2. Setting the factor 3 equal to zero results in a contradiction, so it does not contribute a number to the solution set.

Table of Contents

Quadratic Equation: Solving by factoring