Question

What are the possible values for b, if x2 + bx – 9 is factorable?

Answer 1

Answer:

Simplifying

x2 + bx + 9 = 0

Reorder the terms:

9 + bx + x2 = 0

Solving

9 + bx + x2 = 0

Solving for variable 'b'.

Move all terms containing b to the left, all other terms to the right.

Add '-9' to each side of the equation.

9 + bx + -9 + x2 = 0 + -9

Reorder the terms:

9 + -9 + bx + x2 = 0 + -9

Combine like terms: 9 + -9 = 0

0 + bx + x2 = 0 + -9

bx + x2 = 0 + -9

Combine like terms: 0 + -9 = -9

bx + x2 = -9

Add '-1x2' to each side of the equation.

bx + x2 + -1x2 = -9 + -1x2

Combine like terms: x2 + -1x2 = 0

bx + 0 = -9 + -1x2

bx = -9 + -1x2

Divide each side by 'x'.

b = -9x-1 + -1x

Simplifying

b = -9x-1 + -1x

Step-by-step explanation: