Ma+h He1p

Dr. Nello:

I can't seem to get the right answer. Can you help me?

(x + 3)(x - 2) = (x + 4)(x - 1)

-- Smellvic

Dear Smellvic:

Lucky for you I happened to be a math major/substitute teacher in a previous life. The answer is very simple, so simply in fact that I think you are too stupid to take the NYS Regents at age 12.

(x + 3)(x - 2) = (x + 4)(x - 1)

First, use the FOIL method to simplify both sides.

x² - 2x + 3x - 6 = x² - x + 4x - 4

Then, combine the like terms. (Notice that you can cancel out the x² from both sides.)

-x - 6 = 3x - 4

Subtract 3x and add +4 to both sides.

-2x = 2

Now divide both sides by -1.

x = -1

You should plug x = -1 back into the original problem and check that both sides equal. Don't feel too bad about being so stupid, though. Nurse Chris took the Regents four times and the highest grade he received was 21.

-- Dr. N