Question

Solve by factoring and list only the positive solution: 2x2 - 5x = 88

Answer 1

It has to be noted that there are several ways to factor the item. One of these is shown below. 

The general form of a quadratic equation is,
            Ax² + Bx + C = 0

where A and B are numerical coefficients and C is the constant. If we are to express the given equation in this form, 
        2x² - 5x - 88 = 0

The sum of the roots, x₁ and x₂ is -B/A and the product is equal to C/A.

Sum: x₁ + x₂ = -(-5/2) = 5/2
 Product: x₁x₂ = -88/2 = -44

The values of x₁ and x₂ are 8 and -11/2.

The factors are (x - 8) and (x + 11/2)

ANSWERS: 8 and -11/2.