2a^2-2a-12=0

Solution for 2a^2-2a-12=0 equation:

Simplifying
2a2 + -2a + -12 = 0

Reorder the terms:
-12 + -2a + 2a2 = 0

Solving
-12 + -2a + 2a2 = 0

Solving for variable 'a'.

Factor out the Greatest Common Factor (GCF), '2'.
2(-6 + -1a + a2) = 0

Factor a trinomial.
2((-2 + -1a)(3 + -1a)) = 0

Ignore the factor 2.
Subproblem 1
Set the factor '(-2 + -1a)' equal to zero and attempt to solve:

Simplifying
-2 + -1a = 0

Solving
-2 + -1a = 0

Move all terms containing a to the left, all other terms to the right.

Add '2' to each side of the equation.
-2 + 2 + -1a = 0 + 2

Combine like terms: -2 + 2 = 0
0 + -1a = 0 + 2
-1a = 0 + 2

Combine like terms: 0 + 2 = 2
-1a = 2

Divide each side by '-1'.
a = -2

Simplifying
a = -2
Subproblem 2
Set the factor '(3 + -1a)' equal to zero and attempt to solve:

Simplifying
3 + -1a = 0

Solving
3 + -1a = 0

Move all terms containing a to the left, all other terms to the right.

Add '-3' to each side of the equation.
3 + -3 + -1a = 0 + -3

Combine like terms: 3 + -3 = 0
0 + -1a = 0 + -3
-1a = 0 + -3

Combine like terms: 0 + -3 = -3
-1a = -3

Divide each side by '-1'.
a = 3

Simplifying
a = 3
Solution
a = {-2, 3}