Question #N392
If $x^2 - 2x - 8 = 0$, what is the sum of the solutions to this equation?
A. -2
B. 0
C. 2
D. 8
Correct Answer is: C
The sum of the solutions to the quadratic equation $ax^2 + bx + c = 0$ is given by $-b/a$. Factoring the given quadratic equation yields $(x - 4)(x + 2) = 0$. Therefore, the solutions to the equation are $x = 4$ and $x = -2$. The sum of these solutions is $4 + (-2) = 2$.