Zero Product Property

Definition

If   a × b = 0   then   a = 0   or   b = 0   or  a = b = 0

A product of factors is zero if and only if one or more of the factors is zero.

Examples

Solve x2 + x – 12 = 0

You can factor the left side as:

(x + 4)(x – 3) = 0

By the zero product property, either

x + 4 = 0 or x – 3 = 0

Which means

x = -4 or x = 3

Standard Form of an Equation

The Standard Form of an equation is:

“some expression” = 0

Examples

Standard form of 2x = 7 is 2x – 7 = 0

Learn More

Partial Sum

General Form of Equation of a Line

Directly and Inversely Proportional

Finding an Angle in a Right Angled Triangle

Algebra Index