There are many ways you can go. I'm going to start out factoring the whole thing. (x+9)(x-8) = 0 seperate these into two different equations. x+9 = 0 and x-8 = 0 x= -9 x=8 Make sure you check it by substituting. Sometimes you might have to reject an answer. In this case you don't. Therefore, 8 and -9 are your roots!