Using the following quadratic equation, find x: x2 + 3x -4

x2 +3x -4. (x + a) (x - b) x has no co-efficient so each is 1 x.  next find two numbers with a product of -4 and a sum of +3.  cannot be 2,2 as these numbers have a sum of -4, 0 or +4 depending on whether they are positive or negative.  so.. +4 and -1.  (x+4)(x-1)  x = -4 or +1

JC
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