Find the values of x when x^2-6=x

We need to factorise this equation to solve it.

The first step for factorisation is to make the equation equal to zero. We can do this by subtracting x from both sides to get:

x²-x-6=0

The coefficent in front of the x term is -1. We need to find two numbers that sum to -1 and mulitply together to make -6.

The two numbers that do this are -3 and 2. We use these in brackets as follows:

(x-3)(x+2)=0

Now to find the two possible values of x we need to solve the equation in each of the brackets individually. 

ie. solve x-3=0 and x+2=0

So our values for x are -2 and 3.

ME
Answered by Max E. Maths tutor

7808 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

ABC are points on a circle, centre O. AO=9cm, OC=9cm and AC=15cm. Find the angle ABC.


If A is divided by B, the result is 5/7. If B is divided by C, the result is 4/5. What is the result of A divided by C ?


The rectangles A and B have perimeters of 94cm and 56cm as shown below (insert diagram). Rectangle A: base = 2x cm, height = 3y cm. Rectangle B: base = (x+6)cm, height = (y+4)cm. Use an algebraic method to calculate the area of each rectangle. (8 marks)


A ball of mass 10kg is dropped from a height of 50m, if the work done against drag is 500J what is the speed of the ball immediately before impact with the floor? (g=10N/Kg)


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:

© 2026 by IXL Learning