Question

How do you solve `12u ^ { 2} - 5u - 3= 0`?

Answer 1

`u = 3/4 or u =-1/3`

Explanation:

There are three ways to solve a quadratic equation in Algebra:

• factorising
• completing the square
• the quadratic formula

Let's use factorising in this example.

`12u^2 -5u -3=0`

Find factors of `12 and 3` whose products subtract to give `5`

`(4u -3)(3u +1)=0`

Either factor could be equal to `0`

If `4u -3 =0," "rarr u= 3/4`

If `3u+1=0" "rarr u = -1/3`