Question

Find the zeros of the function f(x) = x2 - 7x + 6 by factoring.
What is the largest zero of the function? Enter a number only.

Answer 1

did you try to factor it?

Answer 2

I'm not sure how I keep getting confused..

Answer 3

what are the factors of 6?

Answer 4

3 and 2?

Answer 5

(x +3)(x +2) =?

Answer 6

are those the only factors?

Answer 7

yeah?

Answer 8

how about -2 and -3?

Answer 9

(x -3)(x -2) =?

Answer 10

any others?

Answer 11

I didn't think about those.. and I don't think so.

Answer 12

how about 6 and 1?
(x +1)(x +6) =?

Answer 13

might as well finish up -1 and -6 are also factors of 6:
(x -1)(x -6) =?
which one of those possibilities gives you the equation you are trying to factor?

Answer 14

would you plug those into the 2 and 7?

Answer 15

what?

Answer 16

like the -6 and -1 or 3 and 2; would you plug them into the equation to figure it out?

Answer 17

no, expand those factored forms I gave you; see which one matches the quadratic you are trying to factor.

Answer 18

(hint: start with the last one I gave you.)

Answer 19

so -6 factored would be -2 and 3 or -3 and 2 right?

Answer 20

expand this : (x -1)(x -6)

Answer 21

how?

Answer 22

(x -1)(x -6) = x(x -6) + -1(x -6) = ?
finish that up, add any like terms, see if it matches your original quadratic