Question

Solve the equation by graphing: x2 – 5x – 24 = 0.
A. {4, 6}
B. {-2, 12}
C. {-4, 6}
D. {-3, 8}

Answer 1

Factor it as\[
(x +a ) ( x + b)= x^2 +(a+b) x +ab

\]
What are the two numbers so that a+b = -5 and ab =-24?
a and b should be of different signs.
Work it out and your roots would be
-a and -b