How do I solve a quadratic equation?

In a quadratic equation the highest power is 2. This means that we are looking for up to 2 answers. The first thing we are going to try to do is factorise the equation. We draw two sets of brackets side by side. In each bracket, we will have x +/- some number. We need to work out what those numbers should be. (Shows example equation) In this example the number next to the x term is 5 and the number out here on its own is 6. We need to find two numbers which multiply to together to make 6 and also add together to make 5. Can you think of any? (Once answer is found or given) So now we write x+2 in the first bracket and x+3 in the second bracket. See how this whole equation is equal to 0? That means that the answers to the equation have to be something + 2 = 0 and something + 3 = 0. So what would the two answers be?(Once answer is found or given) To check that you are right replace the Xs with each answer to see if you get zero.

LW
Answered by Leszek W. Maths tutor

2793 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

ABD is a triangle, C lies on BD. AD=BD=√2/2 and CD=√3/3. Find the EXACT area of ABC. (all measurements are in cm)


A triangular prism has mass 900g, length 20cm and the triangle bases are equilateral and with side length 6cm. Find the density(g/cm^3) of the material the prism is made of.


Show that (4x – 5)^2 – 5x(3x – 8) is positive for all values of x


Integrate (x+2)^2 dx


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