Question

x(x - 2) = 48
find solutions for X

Answer 1

expand the left side and then get the right hand side equal to zero

so you get x^2 - 2x - 48 = 0

the trick is to get two numbers that are multiples of 48 but when added together are equal to -2

if you take 6 and 8 you get 48 so now just figure the signs you want them to equal -2 when added so pick -8 and 6

then you factor and get

(x - 8) (x + 6) = 0 and indeed if you FOIL you will get x^2 - 2x + 48