How do you solve #(x-7)(x+2)=0# using the zero product property?

1 Answer
Sep 10, 2016

Either #x=7# or #x=-2#

Explanation:

Consider the quadratic function expressed as the product of two factors

#(x-a)(x-b)# with #{a, b} in QQ#

For this product to equal zero either #(x-a) = 0# or #(x-b) = 0#

In the example given in this question #a=7# and #b=-2#

Hence the zeros of #(x-7)(x+2)# are either #7# or #-2#

NB: When given any quadratic function for which you wish to find the zeros it is a good start to see if it factorises in this way