Zero Product Property

Zero Product Property Definition

The Zero Product Property states that when the product of two expressions equals zero, then either expression must equal zero. In terms of variables, when $ab = 0$ , then either $a = 0$ or $b = 0$ .

Examples

The Zero Product Property is frequently used in solving quadratics. For example, solve for $x$ :

$x^2 - x - 6 = 0$

We can simplify this quadratic to $(x + 2)(x - 3) = 0$ . With the Zero Product Property, either $x + 2 = 0$ or $x - 3 = 0$ . This means that $\boxed{x = -2, 3}$ .

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Zero Product Property

Zero Product Property Definition

Examples