Question

If the zeroes of the quadratic polynomial x^2+(a+1)x+bare 1& -3 find a&b

Answer 1

well, geez, just plug in the values. You have

(x-1)(x+3)
= x^2 + 2x - 3 = x^2 + (a+1)x + b

Now it should be clear what a and b are if the two polynomials are identical.

Answer 2

Most likely the topic is the Sum and Product of roots of a quadratic
for ax^2 + bx + c = 0
sum of roots = -b/a
product of roots = c/a

given:
sum of roots = -3+1 = -2
product of roots = -3

then -(a+1) = -2
a = 1

b/1 = -3
b = -3

Answer 3

oh, yeah. Good call.