To solve the equation \(46x^2 - 138x = 0\), we first need to find the greatest common factor (GCF) of the two terms.
-
Identify the GCF: The GCF of \(46x^2\) and \(-138x\) is \(46x\).
-
Factor out the GCF: We can take \(46x\) out of the equation: \[ 46x(x - 3) = 0 \]
-
Set each factor to zero: Now, we will set each part of the equation equal to zero and solve for \(x\).
-
First, we set the first factor, \(46x\), equal to zero: \[ 46x = 0 \] To solve for \(x\), we divide both sides by 46: \[ x = 0 \]
-
Now, we set the second factor, \(x - 3\), equal to zero: \[ x - 3 = 0 \] To solve for \(x\), we add 3 to both sides: \[ x = 3 \]
-
-
The solutions: So, the answers to the equation \(46x^2 - 138x = 0\) are: \[ x = 0 \quad \text{and} \quad x = 3 \]
And that’s how you solve this quadratic equation by factoring!