If 4 - x/2 + x = x, what is the value of x^2 + 3x - 4?

kiran Chandola

Why did we not factor it further?

Jul 5, 2014 • Reply

Carolyn Shasha, Magoosh Tutor

Hi Swaroop!

Happy to help :) We didn't need to factor it further in this case because we just wanted to know what x^2 + 3x - 4 EQUALS. Once we found that it was equal to 0, that's all we needed - we didn't have to simplify it any further. We just had to find the answer choice that matched - we weren't asked to simplify x^2 + 3x - 4 at all.

Does that clear things up? If not, let me know! :)

Jul 9, 2014 • Reply