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How to Break Down the Quadratic Equation to Factors

Quadratic equations are the model of many natural phenomena. Mathematically, quadratics are second degree polynomials equal to zero. The easiest way to solve these equations is to factor them. Not all second degree equations can be factored, but if they can, you are left with the product of two first degree equations. Setting each first degree equation equal to zero and solving gives two solutions to the quadratic equation. When the quadratic cannot be factored, it is because both solutions are complex, which is a situation that is rare for a quadratic that describes natural phenomena.

Things You'll Need

  • Graphing calculator
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Instructions

    • 1

      Graph the quadratic. The points where the graphed curve crosses the X axis are roots of the quadratic. If the curve crosses the X axis at r, then r is a root of the quadratic and X - r is a factor of the quadratic. If the curve does not cross the X axis, then the roots are both complex and the quadratic does not have solutions that are usable for a practical application.

    • 2

      Find the candidate factors by looking at the first and last numbers in the quadratic. For example, if the quadratic is 2X^2 - 4X - 6 = 0, the first and last numbers are 2 and 6, so the possible factors will have first numbers 1 or 2 and last number 1, 2, 3 or 6. The candidates are X - 1, X + 1, X - 2, X + 2, X - 3, X + 3, X - 6, X + 6, 2X - 1, 2X + 1, 2X - 2, 2X + 2, 2X - 3, 2X + 3, 2X - 6 and 2X + 6.

    • 3

      Try all of the candidates to find the factors. For 2X^2 - 4X - 6 = 0, the candidates that divide the quadratic polynomial leaving a remainder are 2X - 2 and X - 3. This means that 2X^2 - 4X - 6 = (2X + 2)(X - 3), or (2X + 2)(X - 3) = 0. If 2X + 2 = 0 then X = -1. If X - 3 = 0 then X = 3. Therefore X = -1 and X = 3 are solutions for 2X^2 - 4X - 6 = 0.

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