Use the zero product property to find the solutions to the equation x2 – 9 = 16

Question

x = –3 or x = 3

x = –6 or x = –3

x = –5 or x = 5

x = 7 or x = 1

Answer 1

x^2 - 9 = 16

x^2 - 25 = 0

(x + 5)(x-5) = 0

zero product property says if ab = 0, either a= 0 or b = 0, so with a = x+5 and b = x-5, then:

either x+5 = 0 or x-5 = 0

either x = 5 or x = -5