How do you factor quadratic equations when a is not 1?
1 Answer
Apr 14, 2018
See explanation.
Explanation:
If you have a quadratic equation:
#ax^2+bx+c=0#
then to factor it first you have to calculate the discriminant:
#Delta=b^2-4ac#
If the discriminant is negative then the equation has no real roots, so it cannot be factorised, else if it is greater than zero you can calculate two real roots using:
#x_{1,2}=(-b+-sqrt(Delta))/(2a)#
and factorise the equation to:
#a(x-x_1)(x-x_2)=0#
If the discriminant is zero, then the equation has 1 real root
#x_0=-b/(2a)#
and the factorisation is:
