How to factor polynomials: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 21:51, 22 October 2009

Revision as of 04:32, 14 November 2009

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<math>ax^2+bx+c=(mx+p)(nx+q)</math><br />

where <math>mn=a</math>, <math>pq=c</math>, and <math>mq+pn=b</math><br /><br />

Many times students are taught that to factor a non-monic trinomials, they must guess different combinations of m,n,p,and q and then [[FOIL method|FOIL]] the factors to see if they had guessed correctly. There is a method of factoring that, while not often taught, will work.<br /><br />

'''Example:'''<br /> Factor <math>6x^2+7x-3</math><br /><br />

'''Step 1'''&nbsp;&nbsp;