Main content
Algebra 1
Course: Algebra 1 > Unit 14
Lesson 5: Solving quadratics by factoring- Solving quadratics by factoring
- Solving quadratics by factoring
- Quadratics by factoring (intro)
- Solving quadratics by factoring: leading coefficient ≠ 1
- Quadratics by factoring
- Solving quadratics using structure
- Solve equations using structure
- Quadratic equations word problem: triangle dimensions
- Quadratic equations word problem: box dimensions
- Solving quadratics by factoring review
© 2023 Khan AcademyTerms of usePrivacy PolicyCookie Notice
Solving quadratics by factoring
Learn how to solve quadratic equations like (x-1)(x+3)=0 and how to use factorization to solve other forms of equations.
What you should be familiar with before taking this lesson
What you will learn in this lesson
So far you have solved linear equations, which include constant terms—plain numbers—and terms with the variable raised to the first power, .
You may have also solved some quadratic equations, which include the variable raised to the second power, by taking the square root from both sides.
In this lesson, you will learn a new way to solve quadratic equations. Specifically you will learn
- how to solve factored equations like
and - how to use factorization methods in order to bring other equations
like to a factored form and solve them.
Solving factored quadratic equations
Suppose we are asked to solve the quadratic equation .
This is a product of two expressions that is equal to zero. Note that any value that makes either or zero, will make their product zero.
Substituting either or into the equation will result in the true statement , so they are both solutions to the equation.
Now solve a few similar equations on your own.
Reflection question
A note about the zero-product property
How do we know there are no more solutions other than the two we find using our method?
The answer is provided by a simple but very useful property, called the zero-product property:
If the product of two quantities is equal to zero, then at least one of the quantities must be equal to zero.
Substituting any value except for our solutions results in a product of two non-zero numbers, which means the product is certainly not zero. Therefore, we know that our solutions are the only ones possible.
Solving by factoring
Suppose we want to solve the equation , then all we have to do is factor and solve like before!
The complete solution of the equation would go as follows:
Now it's your turn to solve a few equations on your own. Keep in mind that different equations call for different factorization methods.
Solve .
Solve .
Solve .
Solve .
Arranging the equation before factoring
One of the sides must be zero.
This is how the solution of the equation goes:
Before we factored, we manipulated the equation so all the terms were on the same side and the other side was zero. Only then were we able to factor and use our solution method.
Removing common factors
This is how the solution of the equation goes:
All terms originally had a common factor of , so we divided all sides by —the zero side remained zero—which made the factorization easier.
Now solve a few similar equations on your own.
Want to join the conversation?
- In the above equation 3x^2+11x-4 = 0, I understand where we need to find two numbers were a+b need to equal 11 to satisfy the 11x, however, I'm having trouble connecting where -12 came from where it states that we need to find numbers to satisfy (a)(b) = -12. I'm seeing a -4 at the end of the equation. Not sure where -12 came from. Was it from multiplying -4 to the co-effiecient of the 3 in 3x^2?(47 votes)
- In the standard form of quadratic equations, there are three parts to it: ax^2 + bx + c where a is the coefficient of the quadratic term, b is the coefficient of the linear term, and c is the constant. The -4 at the end of the equation is the constant. This hopefully answers your last question. Now, your first question.
So the problem is that you need to find two numbers (a and b) such that the sum of a and b equals 11 and the product equals -12. Correct? Correct indeed. I use a pretty straightforward mental method but I'll introduce my teacher's method of factors first. What you need to do is find all the factors of -12 that are integers. Let's start with 1.
1 * -12
2 * -6
3 * -4
4 * -3
6 * -2
12 * -1
Here we see 6 factor pairs or 12 factors of -12. Let's see which one adds up to 11. It seems like12 + (-1) = 11
. So we'll split 11 to 12 and -1.
My other method is straight out recognising the middle terms. This works well with small numbers. I can clearly see that 12 is close to 11 and all I need is a change of 1. So that leaves out 12 * -1 and -12 * 1. I can see that -12 * 1 makes -11 which is not what I want so I go with 12 * -1.
If you misunderstand something I said, just post a comment.(30 votes)
- Sometimes I don't understand some of the problems. :((17 votes)
- Just always remember to simplify the expression before u do anything and then make one side equal to zero my subtracting or adding etc. Its easy once u get the hang of it.(19 votes)
- still confused(8 votes)
- Think about what is confusing you.
1) Is it the factoring? If it is, you need to review the lessons and practice problems for factoring. There are multiple factoring techniques. You need to know each of them and when to apply them.
2) If you are ok with the factoring, then what pay close attention to the other topics on the page. They cover the other steps you need to do in quite some detail.(10 votes)
- In the last two problems' explanations there seems to be a mistake. Why when they say "divide by 3" in the second step does the equation look like
"x^2+11x+10 = 0"
instead of
3(x^2+11x+10) = 0"
The way they wrote it, the right hand side of the equation would equal 0/3, wouldn't it?(3 votes)- They can divide the entire equation by 3. That's ok. Remember: 0/3 = 0, which is why you see just o.(12 votes)
- I don't get 3x^2-9x-20=x^2+5x+16. What do we do in the first place?(3 votes)
- Before trying to factor, you need to put the equation in the standard form: Ax^2+Bx+C=0. To do this, use opposite operations to move each term on the right side to the left side. Then factor.
Hope this helps.(11 votes)
- In the above equation 3x^2+11x-4 = 0, I understand where we need to find two numbers were a+b need to equal 11 to satisfy the 11x, however, I'm having trouble connecting where -12 came from where it states that we need to find numbers to satisfy (a)(b) = -12. I'm seeing a -4 at the end of the equation. Not sure where -12 came from. Was it from multiplying -4 to the co-effiecient of the 3 in 3x^2?(4 votes)
- Yes, the -12 comes from multiplying -4 with the 3 from 3x^2.(6 votes)
- I know this is not related to the above questions, but i could not find where to ask normal day to day questions. If someone could please help me answer this would be great.:
Factorise the expression as far as possible to prime factors:
(x-1)^2-9(y-1)^2 ...
^2(power of 2)(1 vote)- Expand the squares, then distribute the 9. Combine like terms then factor. Post comment if you still feel stuck.(13 votes)
- How do you factor it when the leading coefficient is more than 1? For example, something like 3xsquared+ x-2.(4 votes)
- You factor the trinomial by grouping. See the lessons at this link: https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra/polynomial-factorization#factoring-quadratics-2
Hope this helps.(3 votes)
- My equation is x^2-2x+1=0 ( find x) How do i factor out the 1? Could i make it 1^2?(4 votes)
- You need 2 factors of 1 that add to -2.
Your choices are to use: 1*1 or (-1)(-1). Which pair adds to -2?
Hope this helps.(3 votes)
- Hi! This is Rowel!
I have a question about x^2+5x=0.
Won't (x+5)(x+0) work also, if we made the original equation into x^2+5x+0=0?
Thank you for looking at my question.(2 votes)- x+0 = x. There is no value added by changing x into x+0.
Keep it simple. The factors are x(x+5).(3 votes)