Question 448725
{{{m^2 - 5m = 0}}}
Factor ("undistribute") by pulling out an m: {{{m(m - 5) = 0}}}
For each factor (m and m - 5), make the factor equal to zero and solve for m. This is because the product of the factors is zero (as {{{m(m - 5) = 0}}}, and the only way for this to be so is if at least one of the factors is equal to zero.
==> m = 0
m = 0
==> m - 5 = 0
Add 5 to both sides: m = 5
m = 5
So, m could equal 0 or 5.
CHECK (to prove it to you):
{{{m^2 - 5m = 0}}}
==> {{{(0)^2 - 5(0) = 0}}}
0 - 0 = 0
0 = 0
Correct--therefore, 0 IS a potential value of m.
==> {{{(5)^2 - 5(5) = 0}}}
25 - 25 = 0
0 = 0
Correct--therefore, 5 IS a potential value of m.
***THEREFORE, THE ANSWER IS m = {0, 5}