Solve quadratic equations by factoring. 1st: Put everything on one side and 0 on the other. 2nd: FACTOR THE ENTIRE SIDE. 3rd: Set each factor equal to zero. 4th: Solve each new equation. (5th: Discard extra answers that don't meet requirement.) Solve: x^2 + 5x = - 6 1st: Put everything on one side and 0 on the other. x^2 + 5x = - 6 +6 +6 --------------------- x^2 + 5x + 6 = 0 2nd: FACTOR THE ENTIRE SIDE. x^2 + 5x + 6 = 0 (x+2)(x+3) = 0 3rd: Set each factor equal to zero. x^2 + 5x + 6 = 0 (x+2)(x+3) = 0 x+2 = 0 x+3 = 0 4th: Solve each new equation. x^2 + 5x + 6 = 0 (x+2)(x+3) = 0 x+2 = 0 x+3 = 0 -2 -2 -3 -3 ---------- ------------ x = -2 x = -3 (5th: Discard extra answers that don't meet requirement.) x^2 + 5x + 6 = 0 (x+2)(x+3) = 0 x+2 = 0 x+3 = 0 -2 -2 -3 -3 ---------- ------------ x = -2 x = -3