SOLUTION: At what points does the graph of {{{y=x^2+5x-14}}} cross the x-axis?

y = x² + 5x - 14

We substitute 0 for y

0 = x² + 5x - 14

x² + 5x - 14 = 0

We factor:

(x + 7)(x - 2) = 0

We use the zero factor principle:

x + 7 =  0          x - 2 = 0
    x = -7              x = 2

So the graph crosses the x axis at the two points

(-7,0) and at (2,0), as we see on the graph below:



Edwin