Question

How do you solve `x^2 - 4x = 5`?

Answer 1

`x=-1" or "x=5`

Explanation:

`"since the coefficient of the "x^2" term is 1"`

`x^2-4x-5=0larrcolor(blue)"in standard form"`

`"the factors of - 5 which sum to - 4 are - 5 and + 1"`

`rArr(x-5)(x+1)=0`

`"equate each factor to zero and solve for x"`

`x+1=0rArrx=-1`

`x-5=0rArrx=5`