Write the equation in standard form: ax^2 + bx + c = 0
Identify a, b, and c
Factor the quadratic, if possible
Set each factor equal to 0
Solve for x
If factoring is not possible, use the quadratic formula: x = (-b ± √(b^2 – 4ac)) / (2a)
Substitute a, b, and c into the formula
Simplify the expression
Find the two possible values of x
Check the solutions in the original equation