How do you solve #x^2 + 7x - 44 = 0#?

1 Answer
Apr 8, 2016

#x = -11, 4#

Explanation:

Begin with writing the equation into brackets.

#(x + a)(x + b) = 0#

You want to find #a# and #b# such that #a + b = 7# and #a * b = -44#.

Through a process of trial and error, this gives #a = -4# and #b = 11#.

#(x - 4)(x + 11) = 0#

Anything multiplied by #0# is #0#, meaning at least one of the brackets has to be equal to #0#. This actually gives two answers for #x#. Set each one equal to zero and then solve.

#x - 4 = 0#
#x = 4#

or

#x + 11 = 0#
#x = -11#