Solve the Quadratic Equation: x²-3x+2=0 for X

Quadratic Equations with Factoring Method

x23x+2=0 x^2-3x+2=0

Determine the value of X?

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Find X
00:03 We'll use shortened multiplication formulas and pay attention to coefficients
00:07 We want to find 2 numbers
00:11 whose sum equals B and their product equals C
00:21 These are the matching numbers
00:26 Therefore these are the numbers we'll put in parentheses
00:35 We'll find the solutions that zero each factor
00:39 We'll isolate X, this is one solution
00:46 We'll isolate X, this is the second solution
00:55 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

x23x+2=0 x^2-3x+2=0

Determine the value of X?

2

Step-by-step solution

Let's solve the given equation:

x23x+2=0 x^2-3x+2=0

Note that the coefficient of the squared term is 1, therefore, we can (try to) factor the expression on the left side using quick trinomial factoring:

We will look for a pair of numbers whose product equals the free term in the expression, and whose sum equals the coefficient of the first-degree term, meaning two numbers m,n m,\hspace{2pt}n that satisfy:

mn=2m+n=3 m\cdot n=2\\ m+n=-3\\ From the first requirement mentioned, that is - from the multiplication, we notice that the product of the numbers we are looking for must yield a positive result, therefore we can conclude that both numbers have the same sign, according to multiplication rules, and now we'll remember that the possible factors of 2 are 2 and 1, fulfilling the second requirement mentioned, along with the fact that the signs of the numbers we're looking for are identical will lead to the conclusion that the only possibility for the two numbers we're looking for is:

{m=2n=1 \begin{cases} m=-2\\ n=-1 \end{cases}

Therefore we will factor the expression on the left side of the equation to:

x23x+2=0(x2)(x1)=0 x^2-3x+2=0 \\ \downarrow\\ (x-2)(x-1)=0

Remember that the product of expressions will yield 0 only if at least one of the multiplied expressions equals zero,

Therefore we'll obtain two simple equations and solve them by isolating the unknown on one side:

x2=0x=2 x-2=0\\ \boxed{x=2}

or:

x1=0x=1 x-1=0\\ \boxed{x=1}

Let's summarize then the solution of the equation:

x23x+2=0(x2)(x1)=0x2=0x=2x1=0x=1x=2,1 x^2-3x+2=0 \\ \downarrow\\ (x-2)(x-1)=0 \\ \downarrow\\ x-2=0\rightarrow\boxed{x=2}\\ x-1=0\rightarrow\boxed{x=1}\\ \downarrow\\ \boxed{x=2,1}

Therefore the correct answer is answer B.

3

Final Answer

1,2 1,2

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Rule: Factor quadratics by finding two numbers that multiply to give c and add to give b
  • Technique: For x23x+2 x^2-3x+2 , find m×n=2 and m+n=-3, so m=-2, n=-1
  • Check: Substitute x=1 and x=2 back: 123(1)+2=0 1^2-3(1)+2=0 and 223(2)+2=0 2^2-3(2)+2=0

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Confusing the signs when factoring
    Don't write (x+2)(x+1)=0 when you need m+n=-3! This gives wrong solutions x=-2 and x=-1. The product m×n=2 is positive, but the sum m+n=-3 is negative, so both factors must be negative. Always check that your factored form expands back to the original equation.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

\( x^2+6x+9=0 \)

What is the value of X?

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why do we need two numbers that multiply AND add to specific values?

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When you expand (x+m)(x+n) (x+m)(x+n) , you get x2+(m+n)x+mn x^2+(m+n)x+mn . So the middle coefficient comes from adding m and n, while the constant term comes from multiplying them!

What if I can't find two numbers that work?

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If no integer factors work, the quadratic might not factor nicely. You can try the quadratic formula: x=b±b24ac2a x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a} instead.

How do I know which signs to use in the factors?

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Look at the signs of your equation! If the constant term is positive, both factors have the same sign. If the middle term is negative, both factors are negative.

Why does (x-2)(x-1)=0 give us x=2 or x=1?

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This uses the Zero Product Property: if two things multiply to zero, at least one must be zero. So either x-2=0 (making x=2) or x-1=0 (making x=1).

Can a quadratic equation have more than two solutions?

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No! A quadratic equation can have at most two real solutions. This is because the highest power of x is 2, which determines the maximum number of solutions.

What if my quadratic doesn't have a coefficient of 1 for x²?

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You can still factor, but it's trickier! Try factoring out the coefficient first, or use the AC method to find the right factor pairs.

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