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Factorise the quadratic expression $x^2 - x - 12$ - Junior Cycle Mathematics - Question 11 - 2013

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Question 11

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Factorise the quadratic expression $x^2 - x - 12$. Use the factors from part (a) to solve the equation $x^2 - x - 12 = 0$.

Worked Solution & Example Answer:Factorise the quadratic expression $x^2 - x - 12$ - Junior Cycle Mathematics - Question 11 - 2013

Step 1

Factorise the quadratic expression $x^2 - x - 12$

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Answer

To factor the quadratic expression x2x12x^2 - x - 12, we need to find two numbers that multiply to -12 (the constant term) and add to -1 (the coefficient of the middle term, x).

The numbers -4 and 3 satisfy these conditions since:

  • (4)(3)=12(-4) \cdot (3) = -12
  • (4)+(3)=1(-4) + (3) = -1

Thus, we can write the factorization as:

\(x + 3)(x - 4)\.

Step 2

Use the factors from part (a) to solve the equation $x^2 - x - 12 = 0$

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Answer

Using the factors from part (a):
[(x + 3)(x - 4) = 0] We set each factor equal to zero:

  1. x+3=0x + 3 = 0

    • Solving this gives:
      x=3x = -3
  2. x4=0x - 4 = 0

    • Solving this gives:
      x=4x = 4

Therefore, the solutions to the equation x2x12=0x^2 - x - 12 = 0 are:

x=3x = -3 and x=4x = 4.

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