Final answer:
The x-intercepts of the quadratic equation x² - 2x - 3 can be found using the quadratic formula, resulting in x-intercepts at x = 3 and x = -1.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the x-intercept of the quadratic equation x² - 2x - 3, one can use various methods such as factoring, completing the square, using the quadratic formula, or calculating the discriminant. However, the most straightforward way is to use the quadratic formula:
The quadratic formula for an equation of the form ax² + bx + c = 0 is given by x = (-b ± √(b² - 4ac)) / (2a).
For the given quadratic equation x² - 2x - 3, we have:
Plugging these values into the quadratic formula, we get:
x = (2 ± √((-2)² - 4(1)(-3))) / (2 * 1)
x = (2 ± √(4 + 12)) / 2
x = (2 ± √16) / 2
x = (2 ± 4) / 2
Thus, the x-intercepts are x = 3 and x = -1.