Question

4.Think about the expression (x-8)(x+4).

(a) For what values of x will this expression be
equal to zero? Show how you arrived at your
Answer

Answer 1

The values of x for which the expression (x-8)(x+4) equals zero are x = 8 and x = -4, found by setting each factor in the expression equal to zero and solving for x.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the values of x for which the expression (x-8)(x+4) is equal to zero, we need to set the expression equal to zero and solve for x. This will yield two solutions because we have a quadratic equation.

Setting the expression equal to zero, we get:

• (x - 8) = 0 or
• (x + 4) = 0

Now, we solve for x in each scenario:

1. x - 8 = 0 ⇒ x = 8
2. x + 4 = 0 ⇒ x = -4

Therefore, the values of x for which the expression equals zero are x = 8 and x = -4.