Top answers

Maths
All levels

A common question would be how to factorise into two brackets, for example x^2 + 5x = -6

The first thing you must do is get all the terms on the same side, which we do by adding 6 to both sides : x^2 + 5x + 6 = 0.
Next, we must work out which numbers add to the middle term, and write th...

MT
Answered by Madeleine T. Maths tutor
3753 Views

I don't understand the point of differentiation or integration

If thinking about graphs, differentiation is the gradient, and integration is the area between the line and the axis. These operations are useful if we know values that are related through them, for examp...

GB
Answered by Guido B. Maths tutor
3513 Views

Solve the inequality x(x+2)>8 for x.

x(x+2)>8 if and only if x^2+2x-8>0 if and only if (x+4)(x-2)>0. There are three cases: x<-4, -4 In the first case x+4<0 and x-2<0, so their product is positive: (x+4)(x-2)>0. Next x+4...

JT
Answered by Joshua T. Maths tutor
4218 Views

The quadratic equation 2x^2+8x+1=0 has roots a and b. Write down the value of a+b and ab and a^2+b^2.

Since the quadratic has roots a and b, this means it can be fatored as 2(x-a)(x-b)=0. Expanding this out we get 2x^2-2(a+b)x+2ab=0 and matching the coefficients for the terms x^1 and x^0 we get a+b=-4 and...

JT
Answered by Joshua T. Maths tutor
5025 Views

Why is the derivative of 2^x not x*2^(x-1)?

That technique for calculating derivatives only works for polynomial terms, that is terms of the form x^n, where n is some number. Here though our variable x is in the exponent, and so th...

JG
Answered by Josh G. Maths tutor
3580 Views

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