GCSE Mathematics · key term

Zero-product rule

Definition

The rule that if a product is zero, at least one of its factors must be zero: if $AB=0$ , then $A=0$ or $B=0$ .

Used by OCR

Specification 6.03b · Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Foundation), Paper 4 (Higher), Paper 5 (Higher), Paper 6 (Higher)

1
After factorising, set each factor equal to zero. The zero-product rule does not say that both factors must be zero at the same time.

Create a free account to read GCSE Mathematics revision notes for your exam board and track your progress.

GCSE Mathematics · key term

The rule that if a product is zero, at least one of its factors must be zero: if $AB=0$ , then $A=0$ or $B=0$ .

Used by OCR

Specification 6.03b · Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Foundation), Paper 4 (Higher), Paper 5 (Higher), Paper 6 (Higher)

1
After factorising, set each factor equal to zero. The zero-product rule does not say that both factors must be zero at the same time.

Create a free account to read GCSE Mathematics revision notes for your exam board and track your progress.