Solve for x: x² - 2x - 8 = 0
Difficulty: Medium
About this MCQ
Medium SAT item. Correct choice: B. x = -2 or x = 4.
- A. x = -2 or x = 5
Why not A: “x = -2 or x = 5” is not x = -2 or x = 4.
- B. x = -2 or x = 4 ✓
- C. x = 2 or x = -4
Why not C: “x = 2 or x = -4” is not x = -2 or x = 4.
- D. x = -1 or x = 3
Why not D: “x = -1 or x = 3” is not x = -2 or x = 4.
Correct answer
B. x = -2 or x = 4
Explanation
x = -2 or x = 4 (option B) is the accepted answer to “Solve for x: x² - 2x - 8 = 0”. Option A (x = -2 or x = 5) is a different value from x = -2 or x = 4. Option C (x = 2 or x = -4) is a different value from x = -2 or x = 4. Option D (x = -1 or x = 3) is a different value from x = -2 or x = 4. Keep x = -2 or x = 4 as the SAT fact for this stem.
Source: Original practice question, MCQsHub
Tags: SAT, Math, Algebra, American Exams
Submitted by: MCQsHub Editorial