How do you solve #x^2 - 9x - 10 = 0#?

1 Answer
Jun 23, 2015

#color(green)( x= -1 , x=10#

Explanation:

#x^2 - 9x - 10 = 0#
We can first factorise this expression and then proceed towards finding the solution:

factorising by : splitting the middle term
#x^2 color(blue)(-9x) - 10 = 0#
#x^2 color(blue)(- 10x + x) - 10 = 0#
#x( x- 10) +1 (x - 10) = 0#
#color(green)((x+1) ( x- 10)) = 0#

Equating the factors with zero to obtain solutions:
#x+1 = 0# and #x-10 = 0#

So, the solutions are:
#color(green)( x= -1 , x=10#