The 2 in front of the x^2 can cause confusion. In this case, the equation can be divided through by 2, to produce x^2+2x-3=0. From here it can be factorised by working out what adds to make '2' and times to make '-3'. The answer is -1 and 3. The equation can be factorised as (x-1)(x+3)=0. As the equation equals zero, one or both of the brackets must equal zero too. therefore; x-1=0 means x=1 and x+3=0 means x=-3.