A) x^2 +x -30 = 0 is factored by looking for two factors of 30 that differ by 1. We know ... 30 = 1*30 = 2*15 = 3*10 = 5*6The last two factors differ by 1, so we can factor the trinomial as (x +6)(x -5) = 0 b) The solutions are found by finding values of x that make these factors zero. The only way the product will be zero is if one or more of the factors is zero. x + 6 = 0 x = -6 . . . . . subtract 6 x - 5 = 0 x = 5 . . . . . add 5 The solutions are x = -6 or x = 5These are the values of x that will satisfy the equation (make it true). What they mean depends on the meaning of the variable and the situation the equation is a model of.
