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Factorising quadratic equations

My question is, when factorising quadratic equations, does order matter?
For example

x^2-3x-10 = (x-5)(x+2)

However, (x+2)(x-5) is the same right, just a different order?

does the order matter?
Reply 1
nope, order doesnt matter because if you think about it, expanding them both results in the same answer
Reply 2
Original post by Sokka
nope, order doesnt matter because if you think about it, expanding them both results in the same answer


Yeah that's what I thought, thank you! :biggrin:
Original post by accesstohe
My question is, when factorising quadratic equations, does order matter?
For example

x^2-3x-10 = (x-5)(x+2)

However, (x+2)(x-5) is the same right, just a different order?

does the order matter?


Expanding doesn't matter if the x coefficient (number in front of x) is the same:

(x-5)(x+2) = (x+2)(x-5) = x2 - 3x - 10

But if the coefficient is different:

(2x+4)(x+3) = 2x2 + 6x + 4x + 12 = 2x2 + 10x + 12
(2x+3)(x+4) = 2x2 + 8x+ 3x + 12 = 2x2 + 11x + 12
Reply 4
(4 x 3) = 12

(3 x 4) = 12

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