Factoring to Solve
Quadratic Equations
Objective To solve quadratic equations by factoring
Co m m o n Co r e St a t e St a n d a r d s
A-REI.B.4b Solve quadratic equations by...
factoring. .. Also A-SSE.B.3a, A-CED.A.1, F-IF.C.8a
MP 1, MP 2, MP 3, M P4, MP 7
Get t i n g Read y! «► x C
Analyze the
situation. W h a t
expressions can
you use fo r th e
len g th and fo r th e
width?
You a re finishing a stained glass hanging t h a t your
friend has started. You have enough supplies to
add 6 f t 2 to th e hanging. You a re planning to add
the same amount to the length and width. What
will be th e dimensions o f th e hanging when you
a re finished? How do you know?
x
I
m
MATHEMATICAL
PRACTICES In the previous lesson, you solved quadratic equations ax2 + bx + c = 0 by finding
square roots. This method works if b = 0.
Lesso n
Vocabulary
- Z ero-P rod u ct
Property
Essent ial Und er st and ing You can solve some quadratic equations, including
equations where b + 0, by using the Zero-Product Property.
The Multiplication Property of Zero states that for any real number a, a • 0 = 0. This is
equivalent to the following statement: For any real numbers a and b, if a = 0 or b = 0,
then ab = 0. The Zero-Product Property reverses this statement.
Pr o p er t y Zero-Product Propert y
For any real numbers a and b, if ab = 0, then a = 0 or b = 0.
Example If (x + 3 )(jc + 2) = 0, thenx + 3 = 0 o r x + 2 = 0.
Think.
How else can you
write the solutions?
You can w rite th e
so lu tio n s as a set in
roster form: { - j L 2 }.
Pr o b l em 1 Using t he Zero-Product Propert y
What are the solutions of the equation (4f + l )(f — 2) = 0?
(4 f+ l)(t — 2) = 0
4f + 1 = 0 or t — 2 = 0 Use the Zero-Product Property.
4f=—1 or t = 2 Solve f o r t ,
(^1) or t = 2
J
568 Chapter 9 Quadratic Functions and Equations