SOLUTION: Please help me understand what this problem is asking and how do I determine what equation to use when solving? Are there any key words that will tell me what equation I should use

Question 164077This question is from textbook elementary and intermediate algebra
: Please help me understand what this problem is asking and how do I determine what equation to use when solving? Are there any key words that will tell me what equation I should use?Thanks for your help?
What three techniques can be used to solve a quadratic equation? Demonstrate these techniques on the equation "12x2 - 10x - 42 = 0". This question is from textbook elementary and intermediate algebra

Answer by Earlsdon(6294) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Three ways to solve a quadratic equation:
1) Use the "quadratic formula" and this will always work:
2) "Completing the square", this will always work too.
3) "Factoring", this will work only if the equation is factorable.
Which one to use? Your experience in solving quadratic equations is probably the best guide, but I always try factoring first and, if I'm unable to factor, then I'll use the formula, but sometimes, depending on what the problem is asking for, I'll use completing the square.
Let's try these methods on your equation:
1) The quadratic formula.
To use this, your equation should be written in the "standard format":
and, in this case, it already is.
Here, a = 12, b = -10, and c = -42. Apply the formula:
Simplify this.

or
or
2) Completing the square.
First, divide through by 12 to get the coefficient equal to 1.
Now add to both sides.
Complete the square in x by adding the square of half the x-coefficient, that's () to both sides.
Rewrite the left side as the square of the binomial: and simplify the right side.

Now take the square root of both sides.
or Add to both sides.
or
or
or
3) Factoring.
Factor the trinomial:
Apply the zero product rule:
or
If then so that or
If then so that or
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