Melissa W.

asked • 03/15/18

Factoring is the easiest way to do quadratic equations because explain why

Math work 

Arturo O.

Student,
 
That is not necessarily true.  Factoring is easy only if the quadratic equation can be factored into the form
 
f(x) = a(x - x1)(x - x2),
 
where a, x1, and x2 are integers.  But the numbers may not be integers in some cases, and may even be irrational.  Furthermore, x1 and x2 may be complex numbers.  You may have to solve using the quadratic formula in many cases.
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03/15/18

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Arturo O. answered • 03/15/18

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Student,
 
It is not necessarily true that factoring is the easiest way.  It is easy only if the zeros of the equation are integers, and if you can "guess" those integers.  But the zeros may be non-integers, irrational, or even complex.  Then trying to factor is not easy, and you will have to solve for the zeros using the quadratic formula.
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