Question

Question #7ab87

Answer 1

`x=3`

Explanation:

Notice that the equation is of the form

`x^2-sx+p`

where `s=a+b` and `p=ab`, in this case `a=3,b=4`. So we have that the polynomial factorises as

`(x-a)(x-b)=0`

hence the roots are `3` and `4`, so the lesser root is `x=3`

If you don't see it straightforward, don't worry: you can proceed with the standard formula for finding roots of quadratic equations:

`x_{12}=(spm sqrt(s^2-4p))/2=(7pm sqrt(49-48))/2 Rightarrow x_1=3, x_2=4`