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a+b=3 ab=1\left(-4\right)=-4
Factor the expression by grouping. First, the expression needs to be rewritten as x^{2}+ax+bx-4. To find a and b, set up a system to be solved.
-1,4 -2,2
Since ab is negative, a and b have the opposite signs. Since a+b is positive, the positive number has greater absolute value than the negative. List all such integer pairs that give product -4.
-1+4=3 -2+2=0
Calculate the sum for each pair.
a=-1 b=4
The solution is the pair that gives sum 3.
\left(x^{2}-x\right)+\left(4x-4\right)
Rewrite x^{2}+3x-4 as \left(x^{2}-x\right)+\left(4x-4\right).
x\left(x-1\right)+4\left(x-1\right)
Factor out x in the first and 4 in the second group.
\left(x-1\right)\left(x+4\right)
Factor out common term x-1 by using distributive property.
x^{2}+3x-4=0
Quadratic polynomial can be factored using the transformation ax^{2}+bx+c=a\left(x-x_{1}\right)\left(x-x_{2}\right), where x_{1} and x_{2} are the solutions of the quadratic equation ax^{2}+bx+c=0.
x=\frac{-3±\sqrt{3^{2}-4\left(-4\right)}}{2}
All equations of the form ax^{2}+bx+c=0 can be solved using the quadratic formula: \frac{-b±\sqrt{b^{2}-4ac}}{2a}. The quadratic formula gives two solutions, one when ± is addition and one when it is subtraction.
x=\frac{-3±\sqrt{9-4\left(-4\right)}}{2}
Square 3.
x=\frac{-3±\sqrt{9+16}}{2}
Multiply -4 times -4.
x=\frac{-3±\sqrt{25}}{2}
Add 9 to 16.
x=\frac{-3±5}{2}
Take the square root of 25.
x=\frac{2}{2}
Now solve the equation x=\frac{-3±5}{2} when ± is plus. Add -3 to 5.
x=1
Divide 2 by 2.
x=-\frac{8}{2}
Now solve the equation x=\frac{-3±5}{2} when ± is minus. Subtract 5 from -3.
x=-4
Divide -8 by 2.
x^{2}+3x-4=\left(x-1\right)\left(x-\left(-4\right)\right)
Factor the original expression using ax^{2}+bx+c=a\left(x-x_{1}\right)\left(x-x_{2}\right). Substitute 1 for x_{1} and -4 for x_{2}.
x^{2}+3x-4=\left(x-1\right)\left(x+4\right)
Simplify all the expressions of the form p-\left(-q\right) to p+q.
x ^ 2 +3x -4 = 0
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.
r + s = -3 rs = -4
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 = -\frac{3}{2} - u s = -\frac{3}{2} + u
Two numbers r and s sum up to -3 exactly when the average of the two numbers is \frac{1}{2}*-3 = -\frac{3}{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>
(-\frac{3}{2} - u) (-\frac{3}{2} + u) = -4
To solve for unknown quantity u, substitute these in the product equation rs = -4
\frac{9}{4} - u^2 = -4
Simplify by expanding (a -b) (a + b) = a^2 – b^2
-u^2 = -4-\frac{9}{4} = -\frac{25}{4}
Simplify the expression by subtracting \frac{9}{4} on both sides
u^2 = \frac{25}{4} u = \pm\sqrt{\frac{25}{4}} = \pm \frac{5}{2}
Simplify the expression by multiplying -1 on both sides and take the square root to obtain the value of unknown variable u
r =-\frac{3}{2} - \frac{5}{2} = -4 s = -\frac{3}{2} + \frac{5}{2} = 1
The factors r and s are the solutions to the quadratic equation. Substitute the value of u to compute the r and s.