Final answer:
The quadratic formula, −b ± √(b² - 4ac) / (2a), is used to solve quadratic equations. By substituting the specific coefficients a, b, and c into the formula, two possible solutions for x are obtained.
Step-by-step explanation:
To factor quadratic equations such as x² + 0.0211x - 0.0211 = 0 or x² + 1.2 x 10-2x - 6.0 × 10-3 = 0, we can use the quadratic formula. This formula can be written as:
x = −b ± √(b² - 4ac) / (2a)
Using the given examples, we'll substitute the values of a, b, and c into the quadratic formula to solve for x. In the case of the first example with a = 1, b = 0.0211, and c = -0.0211, the calculation would be:
x = −0.0211± √(0.0211² − 4(1)(− 0.0211)) / (2(1))
After calculating the discriminant (b² - 4ac) and determining the square root, the plus/minus operation yields two possible solutions for x.