Q. \(x^2+4x-12\)
Answer
\(x^2+4x-12\) is a quadratic. Factor it:
\[
x^2+4x-12=(x+6)(x-2)
\]
Set each factor equal to zero:
\[
x+6=0 \Rightarrow x=-6,\quad x-2=0 \Rightarrow x=2
\]
Final result: \(x=-6\) or \(x=2\).
Detailed Explanation
We want to factor (or simplify) the expression \(x^2+4x-12\).
Step 1: Identify the coefficients
Write the expression in the standard quadratic form \(ax^2+bx+c\).
\(x^2+4x-12\) corresponds to:
- \(a=1\)
- \(b=4\)
- \(c=-12\)
Step 2: Use the factoring method
Because \(a=1\), we look for two numbers that multiply to \(c\) and add to \(b\).
So we need numbers \(m\) and \(n\) such that:
\(m\cdot n=-12\) and \(m+n=4\).
Step 3: Find the correct pair
Check factor pairs of \(-12\):
- \(3\) and \(-4\) give \(3+(-4)=-1\)
- \(-3\) and \(4\) give \(-3+4=1\)
- Actually, the pair that works for \(-12\) and \(4\) is \(6\) and \(-2\) because \(6\cdot(-2)=-12\) and \(6+(-2)=4\)
Step 4: Write the factored form
Use the two numbers found: \(6\) and \(-2\).
\(x^2+4x-12=(x+6)(x-2)\).
Final Answer
\[
x^2+4x-12=(x+6)(x-2)
\]
Graph
Algebra FAQ
What are the solutions to \(x^2+4x-12=0\)?
Can you complete the square for \(x^2+4x-12\)?
What is the vertex of \(y=x^2+4x-12\)?
What are the \(x\)-intercepts of \(y=x^2+4x-12\)?
What is the \(y\)-intercept of \(y=x^2+4x-12\)?
How do you use the quadratic formula on \(x^2+4x-12=0\)?
Check steps with three tools.
Math, Geometry, Trigonometry, etc.