Solve: X^2+2x+1=0

Question

Solve: X^2+2x+1=0

anonymous · Answer

two ways of solving this

anonymous · Answer

either you use the equation for it

$$\frac{ -b \pm \sqrt{b^2-4ac} }{2a }$$

anonymous · Answer

or you use a little trick that is sometimes handy, which is that you should find two numbers which added together make 2 (for the 2x), while at the same time while multiplied make 1 (for the +1)

anonymous · Answer

So I can factor or use the quadratic formula?

anonymous · Answer

yes

anonymous · Answer

in this particular case, factoring might be the fastest way, at least i was able to spot the answer in seconds, but if you can't find the answer like that, quadratic equation always works. (as long as the highest power is in fact quadratic, of course)

anonymous · Answer

Well see, I wasnt sure if she wanted us to factor because in the section above this one, she had us factor and then this one said solve, so I guess it kinda threw me off. Thank you though, this was  a huge help

anonymous · Answer

you don't have to factor but personally i always try to factor first, and if i can't work out the numbers from my head within a few seconds i'll just use the formula. For me that is the fastest way of solving them. You get used to these things quickly as well.

anonymous · Answer

just note that if you factor, the x is of the opposite sign.

for example if you have (x+3)(x-2) then the answers will be x=-3 and x=2

anonymous · Answer

so when I write it out, I should write out the zeros, rather than x+3 and x+2?