Solve by factoring. m² + 8m + 7 = 0
To solve this equation by factoring, we need to find two numbers that multiply to 7 and add up to 8. These numbers are 1 and 7.
So we can rewrite the equation as:
m² + 7m + m + 7 = 0
Then we factor by grouping:
m(m + 7) + 1(m + 7) = 0
Now we can factor out the common factor (m + 7):
(m + 1)(m + 7) = 0
Now we set each factor to zero:
m + 1 = 0 or m + 7 = 0
Solving for m in each equation:
m = -1 or m = -7
Therefore, the solutions are m = -1 and m = -7.