Name: Zeros of a quadratic in factored form: solution walkthrough
Uploaded: 2026-11-13
Duration: 1 min 26 s
Description: The function f is defined by f(x) = (x - 2)(x + 6). What is the sum of the zeros of f? Try it, then watch the animated solution.

A zero of

f

is a value of

x

that makes

f(x) = 0

. On the graph, it is where the curve meets the

x

-axis.

A product is

0

only when one of its factors is

0

. So

x - 2 = 0

or

x + 6 = 0

.

Solve each one.

x - 2 = 0

gives

x = 2

.

x + 6 = 0

gives

x = {-6}

.

Add the two zeros:

2 + ({-6}) = {-4}

.

Traps:

4

and

8

use wrong signs for the zeros.

{-12}

multiplies the zeros instead of adding.

Try it first