The negative solution is x = –1.
Solution:
Let the number be x.
Square of a number = x²
3 times a number = 3x
Difference of square of a number and 4 = 3 times that number
Subtract 3x from both sides of the equation, we get
–3x can be written as x – 4x.
1st bracket have common term x and bracket have –4 common term.
Take common term x + 1 outside.
<em>By zero factor principle, if AB = 0 then A = 0 or B = 0.</em>
x + 1 = 0, x – 4 = 0
x = –1, x = 4
The negative solution is x = –1.