Question

Solve for x Write the smaller solution first, and the larger solution second.

x^2−x−12=0
smaller x=
larger x=

Answer 1

smaller x= -3

larger x= +4

Explanation:

Factoring the equation x^2−x−12=0

x^2+3x-4x-12=0

x(x+3)-(4x+12)=0

x(x+3)-4(x+3)=0

(x-4)(x+3)=0

x-4=0 or x+3=0

x=4 or x=-3

smaller x= -3

larger x= +4

Answer 2

The smaller x is -3

The larger x is 4

Explanation:

x^2−x−12=0

Factor

What two numbers multiply together to give us -12 and add together to give us -1

-4*3 = -12

-4+3 = 1

(x-4) (x+3) = 0

Using the zero product property

x-4 =0 x+3 = 0

x=4 x=-3

The smaller x is -3

The larger x is 4