Question 1854
you need everything on one side of the = sign so that it all equals zero. We then factorise ie write it as 2 things multiplied. The reason? Well, 2 things multipled that equal zero? One or the other of tem must be zero...this is how we find the solutions.

so, first, get all terms to the one side....{{{x^2 - 13x - 48 = 0}}}. We then look at the -13 and the -48..we need 2 numbers that multiply to give the -48 and add to give -13. With practice you get better at this...try 16 and 3, well, -16 and +3...

now got {{{(x-16)(x+3) = 0}}}

so we can now say that either x-16=0 or x+3=0.

Hence x=16 or x=-3.

cheers
Jon.