X^2+9x+20=0

What are the steps to solve by factoring?

First simplify the equation and next multiply the 20 with the x^2 and find a number that adds together to give you the middle

x = - 5 or x = - 4

Step-by-step explanation:

Given equation is:

x²+9x+20 = 0

We have to solve above equation by factoring.

Step 1. Split the middle term of given equation so that the sum of two term should be 9 and their product should be 20.

Terms are 4 and 5.

Their product is 4.5 = 20 and their sum is 4+5 = 9

x²+5x+4x+20 = 0

Step 2. Making two groups and taking common, we get

x (x+5) + 4 (x+5) = 0

Step 3. Taking (x+5) as common, we get

(x+5) (x+4) = 0

Step 4. Applying Zero-Product Property to above equation, we get

x+5 = 0 and x+4 = 0

Step 5. Separating x, we get

x = - 5 or x = - 4 Which is the answer.