Question

What whole number values of a mean that you can factorise the
quadratic expression x + ax + 16 ?

Answer 1

Solve x 2 – 6 x = 16.

Following the steps,

x 2 – 6 x = 16 becomes x 2 – 6 x – 16 = 0

Factor.

( x – 8)( x + 2) = 0

EXAMPLE 2

Solve y 2 = – 6 y – 5.

Setting all terms equal to zero,

y 2 + 6 y + 5 = 0

Factor.

( y + 5)( y + 1) = 0