Question

Find the roots of the function f(x)=x^2+15x-16

Answer 1

The answer is x = 1, -16

Answer 2

x = -16 and x = 1

Explanation:

"Finding the roots" means solving the equation. We'll set the equation equal to 0 (replace f(x) with zero) and factor.

0 = x^2 + 15x - 16

0 = (x + 16)(x - 1)

This is factored.

Using the Zero Product Property, we separate this into two small equations.

x+16 = 0 and x-1 = 0

Solve these one-step equations.

x = -16 and x = 1

These are the roots (and roots are solutions, are zeros, are x-intercepts) If the question ask for zeros, roots, solutions or x-intercepts, set it equal to 0, factor and solve.