<PRE><B>Question 1857</B>
1. write it as everything = 0, so

{{{x^2 - 13x - 48 = 0}}}

{{{(x - 16)(x + 3) = 0}}} because (-16)(+3) is -48 and (-16+3)is -13
so 2 things multiplied give zero. THerefore one of them HAS to be zero. Which one? either, hence 2 possible answers... x-16=0 or x+3=0

hence x=16 or x=-3

2. {{{x^2 - x - 6 = 0}}}
(x-3)(x+2) = 0
therefore x-3=0 OR x+2=0

hence x=3 OR x=-2

cheers
Jon</PRE>