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Mathematics 18 Online
OpenStudy (anonymous):

5x2+9x-2=0

OpenStudy (mathstudent55):

You must factor the left side first. 5x^2 = (5x)(x), so you'll have (5x )(x ) Now you need two numbers that multiply to -2: -1 and 2 or 1 and -2 Now there are 4 possibilities as to where those numbers go: (5x - 1)(x + 2) (5x + 2)(x - 1) (5x + 1)(x - 2) (5x - 2)(x + 1) To choose the right one, do OI of FOIL with each one of the 4 possibilities above and add the results together and see which one gives you the middle term you have, +9x For example, if you try the first one, OI will be 5x(2) - 1(x) = 9x Since 9x is what you need, the first one is it, so 5x^2 + 9x - 2 = 0 (5x - 1)(x + 2) = 0 5x - 1 = 0 or x + 2 = 0 5x = 1 or x = -2 x = 1/5 or x = -2

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