Question

How do you solve `x^2 - x - 2 = 0` by factoring?

Answer 1

`x = 2`
or
`x = -1`

Explanation:

`x^2-x-2 = 0`
can be factored as
`color(white)("XXXX")` `(x-2)(x+1)=0`

Since `a xx b = 0` implies either `a=0` or `b=0`

`(x-2) xx (x+1) = 0` implies `x-2 = 0` or `x+1=0`

which, in turn implies:
`color(white)("XXXX")` `x=2` or `x=-1`