S.O.S. Mathematics CyberBoard

WHile solving quadratic equations how do you know which of the 4 methods is appropriate to use?

What four methods would those be?

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factoring, square, quadratic metod, and graphing

Graphing is not a method for finding roots, it's just a way to get an idea of where they might be.

What do you mean by the "square" method?

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I would guess completing the square.

Using the quadratic formula is the most direct and will always work. Completing the square is essentially mimicking the derivation of the quadratic formula. Factoring is quickest when you can see the factors.

Ah, completing the square is essentially the most general and 100% effective way of doing things in every case. "Factoring" is also not really a method, but rather a description of what you're doing (solving for roots IS factoring the polynomial), you would name what you are doing then "eyeballing" or "trial and error" since you're making a guess at what the factor might be and testing it. In any case, one should always check for obvious factors first to save time, but completing the square/quadratic formula (same thing) will never fail you (assuming you do the calculations correctly), and these are the only two things you can really do with what you currently know.

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