4x^2 = 4 4x^2 - 4 = 0 4(x^2 - 1) = 0 x^2 - 1 = 0/4 x^2 - 1 = 0 (x-1)(x+1) = 0 <<--- use the difference of squares rule x-1 = 0 or x+1 = 0 x = 1 or x = -1
The roots are x = 1 or x = -1
Note: "Root" is another term for "solution" or "zero" of a function If we replace x with 1 or -1 back in the original equation, it leads to a true equation.
