can't for the life of me undestand this

[Viking]

Does the left hand side of the equation equal the right hand side if x is the number three?


If you have the equation

(x-2)(x-1) = 2

and set x = 2

you get...

(2-2)(2-1) = 2

0*(2-1) = 2

0 = 2

which is impossible. Hence x = 2 cannot be a root.

I think you should rearrange the equation and plot it, as I suggested; otherwise you are meant to do it otherwise. How does the example in the book find the root(s)?