Find the roots of x^2-9=0

Stage 1: Identify that the equation is a quadratic and that the question is asking you to find out which values 'x' fit this equation. Quadratics can be written algebraically in the form ax2+bx+c and have 0, 1 or 2 roots.Stage 2: Notice that the 'b' value is 0 and the 'c' value is a square number. This suggests that the equation can be solved by using the 'Difference of Two Squares'Stage 3: Identify that the root of 9 is 3, and so using the difference of two squares, the equation can be factorised to (x-3)(x+3)=0Stage 4: Solve the newly factorised equation for the two roots of x=3 and x=-3

JD
Answered by Jamie D. Maths tutor

3125 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What actually IS 'differentiation'?


How to solve simultaneous equations with two unknowns?


How to solve the maths GCSE question about Hannah's sweets that went viral


White paint costs £2.80 per litre. Blue paint costs £3.50 per litre. White paint and blue paint are mixed in the ratio 3 : 2 Work out the cost of 18 litres of the mixture.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning