WAEC Mathematics 2018 Paper

Concept:Factorization of a quadratic equation by splitting the middle term.Explanation:The given equation is $2x^2 - x - 6 = 0$.Find two numbers whose product is $2 \times (-6) = -12$ and whose sum is $-1$.Those numbers are $-4$ and $3$.Rewrite the middle term: $2x^2 - 4x + 3x - 6 = 0$.Group the terms: $2x(x - 2) + 3(x - 2) = 0$.Factor out $(x - 2)$: $(2x + 3)(x - 2) = 0$.Set each factor equal to zero: $2x + 3 = 0$ or $x - 2 = 0$.Solving these gives $x = -\frac{3}{2}$ or $x = 2$.This corresponds to option A.Answer:$x = -\frac{3}{2}$ or $x = 2$, so option A is correct.