What is the value of x if x^2 - 3x +2=0?
This question can be difficult to see where to start, but can be quite easily solved once you realise what you have to do Firstly, let ax2+ bx + c =0. If this is also true, a=1, b= -3, and c=2.
Firstly, find the factors of a*c (= 2). You will find there are only two, 1 and 2, or -1 and -2.
First take the pair 1 and 2, and see if there is a way to add these together to make b. You will see that there are no ways to add or subtract these numbers from each other to get -3.
Now try with the second pair, -1 and -2. You will see that -1+-2=-3, and so this is the pair we want.
Therefore, (x-1)(x-2)=0
If we now solve this new factorised equation, we can see that either (x-1)=0 or (x-2)=0. Now rearrange to get the answers.
(x-1)=0 OR (x-2)=0
x=1 OR x=2
