How do you solve the equation x^2-2x-1=0 by graphing?

1 Answer
Dec 20, 2016

Solutions are -1/2 and 2 1/2

Explanation:

When we draw graph of y=x^2-2x-1,

as a point on x-axis means y=0,

intercepts on x-axis, give the solution of equation x^2-2x-1=0

Now, if x=2, y=-1

if x=0, y=-1

if x=-2, y=7

if x=1, y=-2

if x=3, y=2 and if x=-3, y=14

So joining points {(2,-1),(0,-1),(-2,7),(1,-2),(3,2),(-3,14)} we get the graph
graph{x^2-2x-1 [-10, 10, -5, 5]}

It shows that intercepts on x-axis are -1/2 and 2 1/2

Hence, these are the solutions.