solve the quadratic: 2x^2 - 8x + 6
Solving quadratics means we find out at what values of x the equation is equal to 0. This one we can solve by factorising: First take out a common factor of 2, to get: 2(x2 - 4x + 3). Now you have to find two numbers that add up to (-4) and also multiply to get 3. In this case the numbers are (-1) and (-2). So now we can re-write it as 2(x - 1)(x - 2). You can check this by multplying out the brackets and you should return to the original equation. (Now, remembering that when we multiply anything by 0 it is equal to 0.) The equation will equal 0 when (x-1) = 0 or when (x-2) = 0. These are two very simple equations to rearrange for x. ANSWER: x = 1 and x = 2 You can check this by substituting these numbers back into the original equation.
