Question #N958
If $x^2 + 2x - 15 = 0$, what are the solutions for $x$?
A. x = 3 or x = -5
B. x = -3 or x = 5
C. x = 15 or x = -1
D. x = -15 or x = 1
Correct Answer is: B
To solve for $x$, we can factor the quadratic expression. The expression factors as $(x + 5)(x - 3) = 0$. For the product of two terms to equal zero, at least one of the terms must equal zero. Therefore, either $x + 5 = 0$, or $x - 3 = 0$. Solving for $x$ in each case gives us $x = -5$ or $x = 3$. Since neither of these solutions is listed as a choice, the correct answer is the only other option, $x = -3$ or $x = 5$.