document.write( "Question 382915: I am trying to understand this question in easy terms and an example please.\r
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document.write( "Why do you factor a quadratic equation before you solve? Thank you very much!\r
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document.write( "Regards \n" );
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Algebra.Com's Answer #271253 by stanbon(75887) ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! I am trying to understand this question in easy terms and an example please. \n" ); document.write( "Why do you factor a quadratic equation before you solve? Thank you very much! \n" ); document.write( "---------------------- \n" ); document.write( "When you have a quadratic problem the \"solution\" is \n" ); document.write( "immediately seen by any person who can unravel the \n" ); document.write( "pattern expressed by the form. Most people cannot \n" ); document.write( "do that till the quadratic is factored. \n" ); document.write( "--- \n" ); document.write( "Example: \n" ); document.write( "When you see x^2+5x+6 = 0 do you \"see\" the solutions? \n" ); document.write( "Most people do not. \n" ); document.write( "--- \n" ); document.write( "So we factor the expression to get: \n" ); document.write( "(x+3)(x+2) = 0 \n" ); document.write( "----- \n" ); document.write( "If you have studied algebra you see the product \n" ); document.write( "is zero so one of the factors must be zero. \n" ); document.write( "--- \n" ); document.write( "You say: \n" ); document.write( "x+3 = 0 or x+2=0 \n" ); document.write( "Maybe at this point you \"see\" the solutions. \n" ); document.write( "If not you solve each equation. \n" ); document.write( "x = -3 or x = -2 \n" ); document.write( "---- \n" ); document.write( "Now you have the solutions. \n" ); document.write( "If you had \"seen\" them in the 1st place you would \n" ); document.write( "not have factored the problem. \n" ); document.write( "---- \n" ); document.write( "So, factoring is a crutch we use to help us \n" ); document.write( "\"see\" the solutions. \n" ); document.write( "================== \n" ); document.write( "cheers, \n" ); document.write( "Stan H. \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " |