document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=78854>Question 78854</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Help! How do I solve this??\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "(x-1)(x+3)=5 </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #56660 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=fetter6><B>fetter6(6)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-05.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=fetter6><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=56660\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Solve (x-1)(x+3)=5.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "The best way to do this is to set the equation to 0.  So subtract 5 from both sides to give\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "(x-1)(x+3)-5=0\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Now multiple out (x-1)(x+3) to give\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "(x^2+3x-x-3)-5=0  =>  x^2+2x-8=0.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Now factor the left hand side:\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "x^2+2x-8=(x+4)(x-2)=0 => x=-4,2\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Your solution is x=-4 or x=2  QED </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );