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How do you solve #x^2 - x - 2 = 0# by factoring?

1 Answer

Aug 12, 2015

#x = 2#
or
#x = -1#

Explanation:

#x^2-x-2 = 0#
can be factored as
#color(white)("XXXX")##(x-2)(x+1)=0#

Since #a xx b = 0# implies either #a=0# or #b=0#

#(x-2) xx (x+1) = 0# implies #x-2 = 0# or #x+1=0#

which, in turn implies:
#color(white)("XXXX")##x=2# or #x=-1#

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