Question

Factor the following equation to find its zeros. y = x² - 36

cannot be factored
6, -6
-6, -6
6, 6

Answer 1

x = 6, x = - 6

Explanation:

Given

y = x² - 36

To find the zeros let y = 0, that is

x² - 36 = 0 ← x² - 36 is a difference of squares and factors in general as

a² - b² = (a - b)(a + b), thus

x² - 36 = 0

x² - 6² = 0

(x - 6)(x + 6) = 0 ← in factored form

Equate each factor to zero and solve for x

x - 6 = 0 ⇒ x = 6

x + 6 = 0 ⇒ x = - 6