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Sum and product of rootsTechnique

Technique

Sum and product of roots

Get the sum or product without finding the roots

3 min 3 steps

Some questions want the sum of two messy roots and never need the roots themselves. Skipping the messy part is a talent I now use strictly for good.

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Calls on

Zero-product propertyFactSet each factor to 0, but only when the product is 0
Vertex formula and vertex formFactFind a parabola's turning point in one line

Used by

Solve a nonlinear equationTacticLet the form pick the method, then check every root