When should I use factoring vs the quadratic formula to solve equations?
My teacher said to first try factoring but if it does not work, use the formula. How do I quickly decide which method to use? Also, the discriminant concept is confusing me.
1 Answer
SDSiddharth Das
✓ Accepted
· 14d ago
▲ 5
If the coefficients are small integers, try factoring first (faster). If the discriminant b^2-4ac is a perfect square, factoring will definitely work. If b^2-4ac is not a perfect square (like 5 or 7), use the quadratic formula directly. If b^2-4ac < 0, there are no real roots. If b^2-4ac = 0, there is exactly one repeated root: x = -b/(2a). The formula always works regardless of whether factoring is possible.
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