Find the value of x: x^2-3x-3=1

To begin this question you need to bring all of the terms to one side, so the equation equals 0. It is easiest to do this by subtracting 1 from each side.x^2-3x-3-1=1-1x^2-3x-4=0Now we need to factorise the equation into the form (ax+b)(cx+d)=0. Begin by working out what numbers multiply to equal 1 (the number before x^2), which is 1 and 1. Therefore, and c are both 1:(x+b)(x+d)=0To work out b and d, you need to work out what numbers multiply to equal -4, which could be -4 and +1, +4 and -1, or -2 and +2. However, these numbers must add to -3, so b and d must equal -4 and +1.(x-4)(x+1)=0
To find x, we can see one of the two factors equals zero, so:x-4=0 or x+1=0x=4 or x=-1

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Answered by Emma H. Maths tutor

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