MATHS

05 Inspection
Another alternative to these methods is to use logic. We are actually able to just look at the
what would be required of the quadratic to find out what it would have to be!
Now redoing the same example again:
Example 3
Solve for in 3 + 2 2 2 = 0

To find the first factor, we must use trial and error and substitute numbers into the equation
to find out which number gives an answer of zero. When we find one, this will be a factor.
We know this since that is the basis behind the factor theorem!
Thus, through the factor theorem, we find that:
(1) = 0
( 1)
Now the inspection:
3 + 2 2 2 = 0
( 1)(
)=0
Since we have an in the one bracket and the original equation had an 3 , we know that we
will need an 2 to multiply by the to obtain the 3 .
( 1)( 2
)=0
Also, since we have a 1 in the one bracket and the original equation has a 2, we know
that we will need a +2 to multiply by the 1 to obtain the 2.
( 1)( 2 + 2) = 0
Now we must find out what the middle term is. We know that it must be a term with just an
on it since it is the middle term of a quadratic.
( 1) 2 + + 2 = 0
Through the FOILing of these brackets, we can find this out! The results of FOILing these
brackets are as follows:
3 + 2 + 2 2 2 = 0
If we equate the coefficients of either or 2 , we are able to find the value that fits into the
block:
Equating the coefficients of from the
Equating the coefficients of 2 from the
question on the left and from the FOILing
question on the left and from the FOILing
on the right:
on the right:
= +2
2 2 = 2 2
1 = 2
2= 1
3 =
3=
3=
Thus we obtain the answer:

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( 1)( 2 + 3 + 2) = 0
( 1)( + 2)( + 1) = 0
= 1 = 2 = 1