Using the Quadratic Formula

Whenever you're faced with a quadratic equation you have choice:

• Plot it and find the intercepts
• Factorise and solve (x+...)(x+...) etc. Each bracket =0 etc
• Complete the square and rearrange (see these older posts)
• Use the quadratic formula:

(More can be seen about the quadratic formula in this post)

You will have your own order of preference for the above methods, but one thing you can be certain of is that if there are real solutions, the formula will find them (factorising may not!).