X^2 - 4x - 12 = 0 Factor and solve

Ax^2+bx+c=0

find what 2 numbers multiply to get c and add to get b

x^2-4x-12

b=-4

c=-12

x times y=-12

x+y=-4

factor - 12

-1, 12

-2,6

-3,4

add

-1+12=11

-2+6=4

-3+4=1

the one that works is - 2 and 6 because they can be reversed to make - 6 and 2 which multiploy to get - 12 and add to get - 4 so

split it up into

x^2-4x-12 = (x-6) (x+2) = 0

set each to zero

x-6=0

add 6

x=6

x+2=0

subtract 2

x=-2

x=6 or - 2