Question

What is the value of x in x^2 + 3x + 2 = 0

Answer 1

x = - 2, x = - 1

Explanation:

Given

x² + 3x + 2 = 0 ← in standard form

(x + 2)(x + 1) = 0 ← in factored form

Equate each factor to zero and solve for x

x + 2 = 0 ⇒ x = - 2

x + 1 = 0 ⇒ x = - 1

Answer 2

`x= -2 \ \ or \ \ x=-1`

Explanation:

To solve this equation, we break the middle term into two, depending on the factors of the last term.

`x^2 + 3x +2 = 0\\x^2 +2x +x +2 = 0\\x(x+2) + 1 (x+2) = 0\\(x+2)(x+1) = 0\\(x+2) = 0 \ \ or \ \ (x+1) = 0\\x+2 =0 \ \ or \ \ x+1 =0\\x= -2 \ \ or \ \ x=-1`