Question

What process could you use to solve equations of the form (x + a)(x + b) = 0? In this case there are only two factors (values being multiplied) that are being set equal to 0. How would you solve the equation if there were more than two factors? Explain.

Answer 1

The question is telling you, to find the roots set each term equal to 0

(x+a) =0
and
(x+b) = 0

Your solutions would be x=-a an x=-b


If there were more solutions (like imaginary solutions I assume, you would have to use the quadratic formula but you would first have to FOIL the two factors out to get it in quadratic equation)