Solve for x. x2 - 2x - 24 = 0 a. -4, -6 b. -4, 6 c. 2, -6 d. 4, 6 reset next

B. -4, 6

Step-by-step explanation:

Given the quadratic equation;

x^2 - 2x - 24 = 0

we can determine the solution by first factoring the expression on the left hand side. We determine two numbers whose product is -24 and sum -2. By trial and error the two numbers are found to be;

-6 and 4

We replace the middle term, -2x, with these two values;

x^2 + 4x -6x -24 = 0

x(x+4) -6(x+4) = 0

(x-6)(x+4) = 0

x-6 = 0 or

x + 4 = 0

x = 6 or x = -4