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C. Solving Quadratic Equations by Factoring

Using the graph of a quadratic function to solve a quadratic equation is not necessarily the most efficient method. Use the factoring strategies reviewed earlier in this Unit to solve quadratic equations more directly.

Quadratic equations can be solved by factoring as follows:

  1. Rearrange the equation so one side of the equal sign is zero.
  2. Factor the quadratic expression on the other side of the equal sign.
  3. Determine what value of the variable makes each factor equal to zero.
  4. Verify the solutions by substituting them back into the original equation.