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

3116 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How do you use the pythagoras equation?


y = x^2 + 4x + 7 Find the turning point of the equation by completing the square.


Jodie buys 12 cans of cola. There are 330 ml of cola in each can. Rob buys 4 bottles of cola. There is 1 litre of cola in each bottle. Rob buys more cola than Jodie. How much more?


n is an integer such that 3n+2<14 and 6n > n2 +5. Find all the values of n.


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