9th grade · Math · Unit 14 of 17
Factoring & Quadratics
Factor and solve x² equations
What your child practices
Factoring quadratic expressions (common factors, trinomials, difference of squares) and solving quadratic equations by factoring and square roots.
Washington State Learning Standards learning standard: M.HS.R.AREI.4; M.HS.R.ASSE.3; M.HS.Q.ASSE.2 · factoring quadratic expressions and solving quadratic equations by factoring and taking square roots
How we explain it
Children can open this short lesson before they practice.
- To factor x² + bx + c, find two numbers that multiply to c and add to b.
- If a product is 0, one of the factors is 0.
- x² = k has two answers: √k and −√k.
Example: Solve x² + 5x + 6 = 0. 2 × 3 = 6 and 2 + 3 = 5: (x + 2)(x + 3) = 0. x + 2 = 0 or x + 3 = 0. Answer: x = −2 or x = −3
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
Factor x² + 14x + 48.
- (x + 8)(x + 6)
- (x + 14)(x + 1)
- (x + 8)(x − 6)
- (x − 8)(x − 6)
(x + 8)(x + 6)
Hint: Find two numbers that multiply to 48 and add to 14.
Question 2
Factor x² − 9.
- (x + 3)(x + 3)
- (x − 9)(x + 1)
- (x − 3)(x − 3)
- (x − 3)(x + 3)
(x − 3)(x + 3)
Hint: x² − a² is a difference of squares: (x − a)(x + a).
Question 3
Solve x² = 144.
- x = 12
- x = 144 or x = −144
- x = 12 or x = −12
- x = 72
x = 12 or x = −12
Hint: Divide by 1, then take the square root. Don't forget the negative root.
Question 4
Factor 24x − 12 completely.
- 6x(4x − 2)
- 6(24x − 2)
- 6(4x − 2)
- 24(x − 2)
6(4x − 2)
Hint: Both terms share a factor of 6.
Question 5
Solve (x − 9)(x + 1) = 0.
- x = −9
- x = 8
- x = −1 or x = 9
- x = −9 or x = 1
x = −1 or x = 9
Hint: A product is 0 only when one factor is 0. Set each bracket equal to 0.
Question 6
Solve 3x² = 243.
- x = 9
- x = 121.5
- x = 81 or x = −81
- x = 9 or x = −9
x = 9 or x = −9
Hint: Divide by 3, then take the square root. Don't forget the negative root.