Solve (x+1)(x-3)=x^2-2

$$( x + 1 ) ( x - 3 ) = x ^ { 2 } - 2$$

Solve for x

$$x=-\frac{1}{2}=-0.5$$

Steps for Solving Linear Equation

Use the distributive property to multiply x+1 by x-3 and combine like terms.

$$x^{2}-2x-3=x^{2}-2$$

Subtract x^{2} from both sides.

$$x^{2}-2x-3-x^{2}=-2$$

Combine x^{2} and -x^{2} to get 0.

$$-2x-3=-2$$

Add 3 to both sides.

$$-2x=-2+3$$

Add -2 and 3 to get 1.

$$-2x=1$$

Divide both sides by -2.

$$x=\frac{1}{-2}$$

Fraction \frac{1}{-2} can be rewritten as -\frac{1}{2} by extracting the negative sign.

$$x=-\frac{1}{2}$$