Here are the key steps to solve quadratic equations:
1. Factorize the quadratic expression if possible. This allows using the zero product property.
2. Use the quadratic formula if factorizing is not possible:
x = (-b ± √(b^2 - 4ac)) / 2a
3. Solve for the roots. The roots are the values of x that make the quadratic equation equal to 0.
4. Check your solutions in the original equation to verify they are correct roots.
5. Determine the nature of the roots:
- If the discriminant (b^2 - 4ac) is greater than 0, there are two real distinct roots.
- If the discriminant