Problema Solution

Write the quadratic equation whose roots are

−1

and

−4

, and whose leading coefficient is

5

.

(Use the letter

x

to represent the variable.)

Answer provided by our tutors

The quadratic equation for roots x1 and x2 and leading coefficient a can be written as:

a(x-x1)(x-x2)

In our case x1 = -1, x2 = -4, and a = 5

5(x-(-1))(x-(-4)) = 5(x+1)(x+4) = 5(x^2 + 5x + 4) = 5x^2 + 25x + 20

The quadratic equation is 5x^2 + 25x + 20=0.