Solve this equation: x²-x-6=0

This equation can be solved by factorisation. Start off with brackets : (x )(x ) =0. We need two numbers that multiply to give 6 and add/subtract to give 1. Start off with 1 and 6. They multiply to give 6 but don't add/subtract to give 1. Next two numbers could be 2 and 3. They multiply to give 6 and also add/subtract to give 1.Our equation now looks like this: (x 2)(x 3)=0 We now need to work out the signs by expanding out the brackets in our head. x²-3x+2x-6=0 is what we get when we substitute in +2 and -3. Therefore (x+2)(x-3)=0 . If x+2=0, x=-2. If x-3=0, x=3. You can check this by substituting each number into the original equation.

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Answered by Eadaoin D. Maths tutor

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