Factoring and quadratics · Grades 10–11
Solve a quadratic by factoring
Free worked example · No account needed
Example question
x² - 5x + 6 = 0
Work through it
- 1
(x - 2)(x - 3) = 0
Factor the trinomial using numbers that multiply to 6 and add to -5.
- 2
x - 2 = 0 or x - 3 = 0
If a product is zero, at least one factor must be zero.
- 3
x = 2 or x = 3
Solve each one-step equation to get both solutions.
Final answer
x = 2 or x = 3