This week, we’ve learned how to solve quadratic equations using the quadratic formula, which is different from simplifying When you attempt to solve a quadratic equation, there will be two possible answers. The quadratic formula looks like this (It’s not that scary, bear with me).

Now, in the quadratic formula, a represents the first term, b represents the middle term, and c represents the third term.

Say we’re given the question . Here is what our quadratic equation, and our steps will look like:

You now have two answers for x, because you have a +or- sign.

This week, we learned how to solve quadratic equations. A quadratic equation looks something like this:

(n representing a number) Is what you’ll see most of the time. To solve these questions you factor it into two binomials. To check if your answer is correct, distribute the two binomials, and your answer should be the same as your quadratic equation.

The best way to find out what your two binomials are is to think about this: what are two numbers that multiply together to make your n term, but also add together to made your middle term? For the above question, your answer is simple. The only numbers that multiply together to make 2 are 1 and 2. If you add 1 and 2 together, you will get your middle term, 3! What about a harder question?

Our question is . I wrote down the multiples that could make 12. Then I find out which ones can add together to make our middle term, 7. The multiples 3 and 4 work! So our answer is (x+3)(x+4)!