Bill and Jenna are solving the quadratic equation x 2 - x = 12.

Bill solved this way
x 2 - x = 12
x(x - 1) = 12
x = 12 or 13 x 2 - x = 12
Jenna answered this way
x 2 - x - 12 = 0
(x - 4)(x + 3) = 0
x = 4 or x = -3
Which student is correct?

Question

Bill and Jenna are solving the quadratic equation x 2 - x = 12.

Bill solved this way	
x 2 - x = 12
x(x - 1) = 12
x = 12 or 13	x 2 - x = 12
Jenna answered this way
x 2 - x - 12 = 0
(x - 4)(x + 3) = 0
x = 4 or x = -3
Which student is correct?

ms-brains · Answer

Does your problem perhaps look like this? $$x^2 - x = 12$$
Also, do you have any ideas? :)

woodsymte · Answer

yes it's supposed to look like that but I always forget to put the power symbols. And no I have no clue. @Ms-Brains

ms-brains · Answer

I think the way Bill solved it is correct. Not 100% sure though.

woodsymte · Answer

Do you have any idea as to why? @Ms-Brains