Which are the solutions of x^2 = - 7x - 8?

First put in standard form and do factoring or the quadratic formula

The first term is, x2 its coefficient is 1.

The middle term is, - 2x its coefficient is - 2.

The last term, "the constant", is - 3

Step-1 : Multiply the coefficient of the first term by the constant 1 • - 3 = - 3

Step-2 : Find two factors of - 3 whose sum equals the coefficient of the middle term, which is - 2.

-3 + 1 = - 2 That's it

Step-3 : Rewrite the polynomial splitting the middle term using the two factors found in step 2 above, - 3 and 1

x2 - 3x + 1x - 3

Step-4 : Add up the first 2 terms, pulling out like factors:

x • (x-3)

Add up the last 2 terms, pulling out common factors:

1 • (x-3)

Step-5 : Add up the four terms of step 4:

(x+1) • (x-3)

Which is the desired factorization