Use the quadratic formula to solve any quadratic equation, including those that don't factor nicely.
For any quadratic equation ax^2 + bx + c = 0 (where a neq 0): [formula] This formula always works, whether the quadratic factors or not. Memorize it. It appears on nearly every SAT. The pm means there are (usually) two solutions: [formula]
1. Write the equation in standard form: ax^2 + bx + c = 0 2. Identify a, b, and c 3. Compute the discriminant: Delta = b^2 - 4ac 4. Substitute into the formula 5. Simplify
Example: Solve x^2 + 6x + 5 = 0
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