How do you solve x^2 - 12 = 4x?

1 Answer
Jun 1, 2018

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, put the equation in standard form:

x^2 - 12 - color(red)(4x) = 4x - color(red)(4x)

x^2- 4x - 12 = 0

Next, factor the left side of the equation as:

(x - 6)(x + 2) = 0

Now, solve each term on the left for 0 to solve the problem:

Solution 1:

x - 6 = 0

x - 6 + color(red)(6) = 0 + color(red)(6)

x - 0 = 6

x = 6

Solution 2:

x + 2 = 0

x + 2 - color(red)(2) = 0 - color(red)(2)

x + 0 = -2

x = -2

The Solution Set Is:

x = {-2, 6}