There is a new method, called Diagonal Sum Method, that quickly and directly give the 2 roots without having to factor the equation. The innovative concept of this method is finding 2 fractions knowing their sum (-b/a) and their product (c/a). It is fast, convenient and is applicable to any quadratic equation in standard form ax^2 + bx + c = 0, whenever it can be factored. If it fails to find answer, then the equation is not factorable, and consequently, the quadratic formula must be used. So, I advise you to proceed solving any quadratic equation in 2 steps. First, find out if the equation can be factored? How?. Use this new method to solve it. It usually takes fewer than 3 trials. If its fails then use the quadratic formula to solve it in the second step. See book titled:" New methods for solving quadratic equations and inequalities" (Trafford Publishing 2009)
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(k + 1)(k - 5)= 0
In some simple cases, factoring allows you to find solutions to a quadratic equations easily.Factoring works best when the solutions are integers or simple rational numbers. Factoring is useless if the solutions are irrational or complex numbers. With rational numbers which are relatively complicated (large numerators and denominators) factoring may not offer much of an advantage.
Graphically might be the simplest answer.
The quadratic formula is used all the time to solve quadratic equations, often when the factors are fractions or decimals but sometimes as the first choice of solving method. The quadratic formula is sometimes faster than completing the square or any other factoring methods. Quadratic formula find: -x-intercept -where the parabola cross the x-axis -roots -solutions
Pros: There are many real life situations in which the relationship between two variables is quadratic rather than linear. So to solve these situations quadratic equations are necessary. There is a simple equation to solve any quadratic equation. Cons: Pupils who are still studying basic mathematics will not be told how to solve quadratic equations in some circumstances - when the solutions lie in the Complex field.