Expert: David Hemmer - 7/31/2007

Question
How to solve Quadratic equation Using Factors

Answer
If you have ax^2+bx+c=0 and you can factor it, then you can set each factor=0 and solve. This is because multiplying two things together, if you get 0 then one of the things must be zero.

For example

x^2+4x+3=0.

This factors as (x+1)(x+3)=0.

Thus either x+1=0 or x+3=0 so x must be -1 or -3.

Lots of times the quadratic does not factor and so you must use the quadratic formula.