Solve x^2 - 8x + 15 = 0.
Solution
Problem
Solve x^2 - 8x + 15 = 0.
Factor the quadratic by finding two numbers whose product is 15 and whose sum is -8.
Those numbers are -3 and -5:
x^2 - 8x + 15 = (x - 3)(x - 5)
Set each factor equal to zero:
x - 3 = 0
x - 5 = 0
Solve each equation:
x = 3
x = 5
Therefore, the quadratic has two solutions.
Result
x = 3, 5