Extremely stupid question but i want to be 100% sure

[groom03]

Homework Statement

factorise x^2+3x=2

Homework Equations

erm...

The Attempt at a Solution

(x+2)(x+1)

book says

(x+1)(x+2)

aren't those answers the same? i know it's a stupid question but i want to make sure I'm getting this right

 

[Hootenanny]

Yes, the answers are identical since the multiplication of real numbers is a commutative operation .

 

[groom03]

commutative operation .

no idea what that means but thanks for your help

 

[Google_Spider]

no idea what that means but thanks for your help

2*5=5*2

 

[rocomath]

no idea what that means but thanks for your help

Look in the front cover or something, it's probably there ...

 

[Math_Geek]

By defn of multiplication, you get the commutative property which states that a*b=b*a which tells you that the way you multiply two things has no order. So to answer your question yes, it does not matter which one comes first. Most books not all will list their answers in an increasing order, hence (x+1) comes before (x+2) because 2>1

 

[dynamicsolo]

I'm assuming there is a typo in your statement and that you meant x^2 + 3x + 2 , in which case the factors are (x+2)(x+1) or (x+1)(x+2). The equation x^2 + 3x = 2 would lead to very different factors...

 

[groom03]

I'm assuming there is a typo in your statement

yes... didn't notice that