Find the roots of the equation x^2 + 5x + 6 = 0.
Correct Answer: x = -2 and x = -3
- Step 1: Identify the equation you need to solve, which is x^2 + 5x + 6 = 0.
- Step 2: Look for two numbers that multiply to 6 (the constant term) and add up to 5 (the coefficient of x).
- Step 3: The two numbers that work are 2 and 3 because 2 * 3 = 6 and 2 + 3 = 5.
- Step 4: Rewrite the equation using these two numbers: (x + 2)(x + 3) = 0.
- Step 5: Set each factor equal to zero: x + 2 = 0 and x + 3 = 0.
- Step 6: Solve for x in each equation: x = -2 and x = -3.
- Step 7: The roots of the equation are x = -2 and x = -3.
- Quadratic Equations – The question tests the ability to solve a quadratic equation using factoring or the quadratic formula.
- Factoring – The solution involves recognizing that the quadratic can be factored into (x + 2)(x + 3) = 0.
