Rearrange the polynomial to put it in standard form. Place the terms in order from highest to lowest power.
$$m^{2}+2m-3=0$$
To solve the equation, factor the left hand side by grouping. First, left hand side needs to be rewritten as $m^{2}+am+bm-3$. To find $a$ and $b$, set up a system to be solved.
$$a+b=2$$ $$ab=1\left(-3\right)=-3$$
Since $ab$ is negative, $a$ and $b$ have the opposite signs. Since $a+b$ is positive, the positive number has greater absolute value than the negative. The only such pair is the system solution.
$$a=-1$$ $$b=3$$
Rewrite $m^{2}+2m-3$ as $\left(m^{2}-m\right)+\left(3m-3\right)$.
$$\left(m^{2}-m\right)+\left(3m-3\right)$$
Factor out $m$ in the first and $3$ in the second group.
$$m\left(m-1\right)+3\left(m-1\right)$$
Factor out common term $m-1$ by using distributive property.
$$\left(m-1\right)\left(m+3\right)$$
To find equation solutions, solve $m-1=0$ and $m+3=0$.
$$m=1$$ $$m=-3$$
Steps Using the Quadratic Formula
All equations of the form $ax^{2}+bx+c=0$ can be solved using the quadratic formula: $\frac{-b±\sqrt{b^{2}-4ac}}{2a}$. The quadratic formula gives two solutions, one when $±$ is addition and one when it is subtraction.
$$2m^{2}+4m=6$$
Subtract $6$ from both sides of the equation.
$$2m^{2}+4m-6=6-6$$
Subtracting $6$ from itself leaves $0$.
$$2m^{2}+4m-6=0$$
This equation is in standard form: $ax^{2}+bx+c=0$. Substitute $2$ for $a$, $4$ for $b$, and $-6$ for $c$ in the quadratic formula, $\frac{-b±\sqrt{b^{2}-4ac}}{2a}$.
Now solve the equation $m=\frac{-4±8}{4}$ when $±$ is plus. Add $-4$ to $8$.
$$m=\frac{4}{4}$$
Divide $4$ by $4$.
$$m=1$$
Now solve the equation $m=\frac{-4±8}{4}$ when $±$ is minus. Subtract $8$ from $-4$.
$$m=-\frac{12}{4}$$
Divide $-12$ by $4$.
$$m=-3$$
The equation is now solved.
$$m=1$$ $$m=-3$$
Steps for Completing the Square
Quadratic equations such as this one can be solved by completing the square. In order to complete the square, the equation must first be in the form $x^{2}+bx=c$.
$$2m^{2}+4m=6$$
Divide both sides by $2$.
$$\frac{2m^{2}+4m}{2}=\frac{6}{2}$$
Dividing by $2$ undoes the multiplication by $2$.
$$m^{2}+\frac{4}{2}m=\frac{6}{2}$$
Divide $4$ by $2$.
$$m^{2}+2m=\frac{6}{2}$$
Divide $6$ by $2$.
$$m^{2}+2m=3$$
Divide $2$, the coefficient of the $x$ term, by $2$ to get $1$. Then add the square of $1$ to both sides of the equation. This step makes the left hand side of the equation a perfect square.
$$m^{2}+2m+1^{2}=3+1^{2}$$
Square $1$.
$$m^{2}+2m+1=3+1$$
Add $3$ to $1$.
$$m^{2}+2m+1=4$$
Factor $m^{2}+2m+1$. In general, when $x^{2}+bx+c$ is a perfect square, it can always be factored as $\left(x+\frac{b}{2}\right)^{2}$.
$$\left(m+1\right)^{2}=4$$
Take the square root of both sides of the equation.
