Solve e^2+e-6

$$e ^ { 2 } + e - 6$$

Evaluate

$$e^{2}+e-6\approx 4.107337927$$

Steps Using Direct Factoring Method

Quadratic equations such as this one can be solved by a new direct factoring method that does not require guess work. To use the direct factoring method, the equation must be in the form x^2+Bx+C=0.

$$x ^ 2 +1x -6 = 0$$

Let r and s be the factors for the quadratic equation such that x^2+Bx+C=(x−r)(x−s) where sum of factors (r+s)=−B and the product of factors rs = C

$$r + s = -1 rs = -6$$

Two numbers r and s sum up to -1 exactly when the average of the two numbers is \frac{1}{2}*-1 = -\frac{1}{2}. You can also see that the midpoint of r and s corresponds to the axis of symmetry of the parabola represented by the quadratic equation y=x^2+Bx+C. The values of r and s are equidistant from the center by an unknown quantity u. Express r and s with respect to variable u. <div style='padding: 8px'><img src='https://opalmath.azureedge.net/customsolver/quadraticgraph.png' style='width: 100%;max-width: 700px' /></div>

$$r = -\frac{1}{2} - u s = -\frac{1}{2} + u$$

To solve for unknown quantity u, substitute these in the product equation rs = -6

$$(-\frac{1}{2} - u) (-\frac{1}{2} + u) = -6$$

Simplify by expanding (a -b) (a + b) = a^2 – b^2

$$\frac{1}{4} - u^2 = -6$$

Simplify the expression by subtracting \frac{1}{4} on both sides

$$-u^2 = -6-\frac{1}{4} = -\frac{25}{4}$$

Simplify the expression by multiplying -1 on both sides and take the square root to obtain the value of unknown variable u

$$u^2 = \frac{25}{4} u = \pm\sqrt{\frac{25}{4}} = \pm \frac{5}{2}$$

The factors r and s are the solutions to the quadratic equation. Substitute the value of u to compute the r and s.

$$r =-\frac{1}{2} - \frac{5}{2} = -3 s = -\frac{1}{2} + \frac{5}{2} = 2$$