Work out the solutions to the following quadratic equation: x² + 7x + 10 = 0 by factorising.

Firstly, we have to factorise the quadratic equation. So what this involves is finding two numbers which add up to 7 but also multiply to give 10 at the same time. To help you with this we can find common multiples of 10, so that would include 10 and 1, 2 and 5. Now we can see that 10 and 1 cannot add or subtract to make 7 so it has to be 5 and 2.
So what we can now put these into double brackets: (x+5)(x+2) = 0. Next we need to find a value for x so that when these brackets are multiplied together it equals to 0. This means that either (x+5)=0 or (x+2)=0. This leaves you with 2 solutions: x=-5 or x=-2. You can double check these answers by substituting these values back into the original quadratic equation and it should equal to 0 for both values.

TN
Answered by Tin N. Maths tutor

4394 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Find the roots for the quadratic equation x^(2)+6x+5=0


The equation of the line L1 is y=3x–2. The equation of the line L2 is 3y–9x+5=0. Show that these two lines are parallel.


ABC is an acute-angled triangle. BA=7cm and BC=8cm. The area of triangle ABC is 18 cm^2 . Work out the size of angle BAC. Give your answer correct to 3 significant figures. You must show all your working.


Simplify sqrt(12)


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning