Q:

Solve the equation by factoring: x2 βˆ’ 7x + 12 = 0

Accepted Solution

A:
Answer: x = 3 . . . or . . . x = 4Step-by-step explanation:The factored form is ... (x -3)(x -4) = 0The zero product rule tells you the solutions are the values of x that make the factors be zero: x = 3 x = 4_____Comment on factoringWhen the leading coefficient is 1, the coefficient of the x-term is the sum of the constants in the binomial factors, and the constant term is their product. You can see this by multiplying out the generic case: (x +a)(x +b) = x^2 +(a+b)x + abWhat this means is that when you're factoring, you're looking for factors of the constant that add up to give the coefficient of the x-term. Here, the x-term is negative and the constant is positive, so both factors will be negative. 12 = -1Γ—-12 = -2Γ—-6 = -3Γ—-4The sums of these factor pairs are -13, -8, -7. Clearly, the last pair of factors of 12 will be useful to us, since that sum is -7. So, the binomial factors of our equation are ... (x -3)(x -4) = 0___If the leading coefficient is not zero, the method of factoring is similar, but slightly different. Numerous videos and web sites discuss the method(s).