Answer :

To solve the inequality [tex]\( x^2 - x - 12 < 0 \)[/tex], follow these steps:

1. Solve the corresponding quadratic equation:

First, find the roots of the quadratic equation [tex]\( x^2 - x - 12 = 0 \)[/tex].
Factor the quadratic expression:

[tex]\[ x^2 - x - 12 = (x - 4)(x + 3) = 0 \][/tex]

By setting each factor equal to zero, we get the solutions:

[tex]\[ x - 4 = 0 \quad \Rightarrow \quad x = 4 \][/tex]

[tex]\[ x + 3 = 0 \quad \Rightarrow \quad x = -3 \][/tex]

So, the critical points (roots) are [tex]\( x = -3 \)[/tex] and [tex]\( x = 4 \)[/tex].

2. Determine the intervals:

The roots divide the number line into three intervals:
- [tex]\( (-\infty, -3) \)[/tex]
- [tex]\( (-3, 4) \)[/tex]
- [tex]\( (4, \infty) \)[/tex]

3. Test a point in each interval:

Choose a test point from each interval to see if the inequality [tex]\( x^2 - x - 12 < 0 \)[/tex] is satisfied.
- For the interval [tex]\( (-\infty, -3) \)[/tex]:
Test point [tex]\( x = -4 \)[/tex]

[tex]\[ (-4)^2 - (-4) - 12 = 16 + 4 - 12 = 8 \quad (\text{not less than 0}) \][/tex]

- For the interval [tex]\( (-3, 4) \)[/tex]:
Test point [tex]\( x = \frac{-3 + 4}{2} = \frac{1}{2} \)[/tex]

[tex]\[ \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^2 - \frac{1}{2} - 12 = \frac{1}{4} - \frac{1}{2} - 12 = -\frac{47}{4} \quad (\text{less than 0}) \][/tex]

- For the interval [tex]\( (4, \infty) \)[/tex]:
Test point [tex]\( x = 5 \)[/tex]

[tex]\[ 5^2 - 5 - 12 = 25 - 5 - 12 = 8 \quad (\text{not less than 0}) \][/tex]

4. Combine the intervals where the inequality holds true:

The inequality [tex]\( x^2 - x - 12 < 0 \)[/tex] is satisfied in the interval [tex]\( (-3, 4) \)[/tex].

Therefore, the solution to the inequality [tex]\( x^2 - x - 12 < 0 \)[/tex] is:

[tex]\[ x \in (-3, 4) \][/tex]