SOLUTION: what is the difference between factoring quadratic equation and solving a quadratic equation?

Algebra ->  Quadratic Equations and Parabolas  -> Quadratic Equations Lessons  -> Quadratic Equation Lesson -> SOLUTION: what is the difference between factoring quadratic equation and solving a quadratic equation?      Log On


   

Question 242146: what is the difference between factoring quadratic equation and solving a quadratic equation?
Answer by College Student(505) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Here is an example of factoring:
Going from: x%5E4-2x%5E2%2B1 to: %28x%5E2-1%29%28x%5E2-1%29
This process helps us simplify problems, solve them, and/or cancel like terms when we deal with fractions... for instance if we had a fraction like this one:
%28x%5E2-1%29%2F%28x%5E4-2x%5E2%2B1%29, we could simplify it by factoring: %28x%5E2-1%29%2F%28%28x%5E2-1%29%28x%5E2-1%29%29, then canceling: 1%2F%28x%5E2-1%29.
.
To solve a quadratic equation, we must have an equal or an inequality sign, AND a result. The goal is to find the value of the variable(s).
.
Hope this helped you.