Solve x^2-4x-12<0

$$x ^ { 2 } - 4 x - 12 < 0$$

Solve for x

$$x\in \left(-2,6\right)$$

Steps Using the Quadratic Formula

To solve the inequality, factor the left hand side. 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.

$$x^{2}-4x-12=0$$

All equations of the form ax^{2}+bx+c=0 can be solved using the quadratic formula: \frac{-b±\sqrt{b^{2}-4ac}}{2a}. Substitute 1 for a, -4 for b, and -12 for c in the quadratic formula.

$$x=\frac{-\left(-4\right)±\sqrt{\left(-4\right)^{2}-4\times 1\left(-12\right)}}{2}$$

Do the calculations.

$$x=\frac{4±8}{2}$$

Solve the equation x=\frac{4±8}{2} when ± is plus and when ± is minus.

$$x=6 x=-2$$

Rewrite the inequality by using the obtained solutions.

$$\left(x-6\right)\left(x+2\right)<0$$

For the product to be negative, x-6 and x+2 have to be of the opposite signs. Consider the case when x-6 is positive and x+2 is negative.

$$x-6>0 x+2<0$$

This is false for any x.

$$x\in \emptyset$$

Consider the case when x+2 is positive and x-6 is negative.

$$x+2>0 x-6<0$$

The solution satisfying both inequalities is x\in \left(-2,6\right).

$$x\in \left(-2,6\right)$$

The final solution is the union of the obtained solutions.

$$x\in \left(-2,6\right)$$