How do you solve (x-7)(x+2)=0 using the zero product property?

1 Answer
Sep 10, 2016

Either x=7 or x=-2

Explanation:

Consider the quadratic function expressed as the product of two factors

(x-a)(x-b) with {a, b} in QQ

For this product to equal zero either (x-a) = 0 or (x-b) = 0

In the example given in this question a=7 and b=-2

Hence the zeros of (x-7)(x+2) are either 7 or -2

NB: When given any quadratic function for which you wish to find the zeros it is a good start to see if it factorises in this way