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Make sure you rewrite the equation leaving all the terms on one side and that you factor out the greatest common factor if it exists.
- 2, - 1
We want to solve the given equation by factoring.
Let's start by writing all the terms on one side of the equals sign. We will also factor out a GCF, if we find one.
LHS+4=RHS+4
Write as a sum
Factor out (x+1)
To solve this equation, we will apply the Zero Product Property.
Use the Zero Product Property
(I): LHS-2=RHS-2
(II): LHS-1=RHS-1
We can substitute our solutions back into the given equation and simplify to check if our answers are correct. We will start with x=- 2.
x= - 2
Calculate power
a(- b)=- a * b
Multiply
Subtract term
Substituting and simplifying created a true statement, so we know that x=- 2 is a solution of the equation. Let's move on to x=- 1.
x= - 1
Calculate power
Identity Property of Multiplication
a(- b)=- a * b
Subtract term
Again, we created a true statement. x=- 1 is indeed a solution of the equation.