How do you solve #(x-1)(x+4)=14#?

1 Answer
Feb 8, 2017

The answer is #x=-6 and 3#

Explanation:

First, use the double distributive property (FOIL method) to multiply #(x-1)# and #(x+4)# together, which gives you #x^2##+##4x##-##x##-##4##=##14#

Simplify the like terms: #x^2##+##3x##-##4##=##14#

Next, set the equation equal to zero by subtracting 14 from both sides: #x^2##+##3x##-##18##=##0#

Then, factor the equation: #(x+6)(x-3)##=##0#

Set each quantity each to zero and solve for #x#