Question

Factor and apply the zero product property to each quadratic expressions to find the zeros of the function it defines. (show work)

1. x^2 − x − 12

2. x^2 + x − 12

Answer 1

In the first equation x=4 or x=-3

In the second equation x=-4 or x=3

Step-by-step explanation:

The first equation x^2 − x − 12 can be factorized as follows:

x^2-4x+3x-12

x(x-4)+3(x-4)

x-4=0 or x+3=0

x=4 or x=-3

It is noteworthy that -x was rewritten as -4x+3x in order to solve the equation

The second equation x^2 + x − 12 can be factorized as below:

x^2+4x-3x-12

x(x+4)-3(x+4)

x+4=0 or x-3=0

x=-4 or x=3

It is noteworthy that +x was rewritten as 4x-3x in order to solve the equation