Question

HELP WILL FAN AND MEDAL
Solve the equation by factoring.
1/4x^2 = 25

Answer 1

Do you know the steps to solve an equation by factoring?
What do you need to do first?

Answer 2

I don't know how do this. Please help me.

Answer 3

First you have to have an equation set equal to zero. So, subtract 25 from both sides:
(1/4)x^2-25=0
Do you know how to factor the difference of squares?

Answer 4

Subtract 25 on both sides... right?

Answer 5

That was the first step I did. I subtracted 25 from both sides. Now you have a difference of squares. It's the same form as if you had:
4x^2-25
Do you know how to factor that?

Answer 6

No. :( I'm stupid when it comes to math :'(

Answer 7

The difference of squares:
(a^2)*(x^2)-(b^2) = (ax-b)*(ax+b)
So, in the case of your equation, a^2=1/4 and b^2=25
So, a=1/2 and b=5
((1/2)x-5)*((1/2)x+5) = 0

Answer 8

When you multiply two things and get zero, one of them has to equal zero. So, since you have (1/2)x-5 and (1/2)x+5, one of those has to equal zero. So, the two equations you have to solve are
(1/2)x-5 = 0 and
(1/2)x+5 = 0
You will wind up with two answers.