DanaJ wrote:Intersecting the X-axis means that y = 0. This is accomplished when x is either -a or -b. So in order to solve this problem, you need to know a and b.
y will also be x^2 + (a +b)x + ab.
1. a + b = -1 is not enough to find a and b, so this one is insufficient
2. this tells us that point (0, -6) is on the graph or that 0 = 36 - 6(a + b) + ab. Again, this is not enough to solve for a and b, since you have two unknowns and only one equation.
But put the two together and you get that 0 = 36 + 6 + ab or that ab = - 42. Notice that -42 is -7*6, which will be a and b (since it is consistent with a + b = -1), so we have solved the problem.
I'd go with C.
I will agree with the approach. But solutioning(which obviously is not needed is little incorrect)
2. this tells us that point (0, -6) is on the graph or that
x = 0 and y = -6 ==> solving for x and y, we get ab = -6. Again, this is not enough to solve for a and b, since you have two unknowns and only one equation.
But putting together we have,
a+b = -1 and ab = -6. Two distinct eqs and two unknowns. So we should be able to get solve for X intercepts.
I will go with
C.
