Why do you factor a quadratic equation before you solve?

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Why do you factor a quadratic equation before you solve?

2007-10-10 08:41:32 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics

2 answers

Factoring is just one form of solving. If a quadratic has real roots then factoring it is much quicker than using the quadratic equation. Not all quadratics have real roots so you can't always factor to solve them.

2007-10-10 08:45:25 · answer #1 · answered by Matt C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋

You don't have to factor, you may use the quadratic formula to solve.

axÂ² + bx + c = 0
x = (-b Â± â(bÂ² - 4ac))/2a
.

2007-10-10 08:46:18 · answer #2 · answered by Robert L 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋