I'm wrestling with this quadratic and trying to

Gustavo Lam

Gustavo Lam

Answered question

2022-04-08

I'm wrestling with this quadratic and trying to figure out how to factor it:
The quadratic equation is
a29a+14=0

Answer & Explanation

Varikoseocaz

Varikoseocaz

Beginner2022-04-09Added 9 answers

Step 1
So here is a trick. The last term, 14, put into your calculator as 14x. No see what what two numbers will give you 14.
You should see that the two numbers that you should pick have the property that if you mutiple them it will give you 14 and if you add them they should give you your middle number -9. So,
2×7=14
and2±7=9
meaning:
a29a+14=0
(a2)(a7)=0a=2  and   a=7
Frain4i62

Frain4i62

Beginner2022-04-10Added 16 answers

Step 1
Here is a trick that is about 2000 years old. It's actually kind of advanced, but also kind of interesting
x29x+14=(xr)(xs)=x2(r+s)x+rs
So you are looking for numbers r and s such that
r+s=9 and rs=14
Let r=92t and s=92+t
I know this doesn't make any sense, but, stay with me here.
Clearly r+s=9 So we have already solved that part.
Next we work on rs=14
rs=14
(92t)(92+t)=14
814t2=14
814t2=56
4t2=25
2t=±5t=±52
So, {r,s}={92+52,9252}={7,2}

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