SOLUTION: Hi There! I really need help understanding Factoring with a Zero Product. Could someone please explain this problem to me? -2x^2 -2x + 24=0 Thanks to all

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: Hi There! I really need help understanding Factoring with a Zero Product. Could someone please explain this problem to me? -2x^2 -2x + 24=0 Thanks to all       Log On


   

Question 17435: Hi There!
I really need help understanding Factoring with a Zero Product. Could someone please explain this problem to me?
-2x^2 -2x + 24=0
Thanks to all

Answer by bam878s(77) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Hi, to make this easier to see it would be helpful to divide both sides by -2 first:
factor out -2 first
-2x%5E2+-+2x+%2B+24 = -2%28x%5E2+%2B+x+-12%29
so we have
x%5E2+%2B+x+-+12 = 0
from this we see
x%5E2+%2B+x+-+12 = (x+4)(x+3) = 0
so this equation will be true if either x+4 = 0 or x+3 = 0
so possibilities for x are -4 or -3.
Hope this helps.