Stuck on a problem factoring trinomials. The equation is a^2-4az-6z^2

Question

anonymous · Answer

I love trinomials

anonymous · Answer

I am stuck

dumbcow · Answer

well look for factors of -6 that add up to -4
-6 +1 = -5  NO
6 -1 = 5 NO
-3 + 2 = -1 NO
3 - 2 = 1  NO
This is not factorable

llort · Answer

it must add up to -4 and multiply to  -6

anonymous · Answer

There could be a coefficient to "a" that cancels itself out, though. Trying to figure it out...

anonymous · Answer

I know they cant be factor but it has to look something like (a-3)(a+2) something in that nature.

dumbcow · Answer

lol thats called factoring, if its prime then it can't look like that

anonymous · Answer

lol I told you I am confused hahaha.

llort · Answer

who says that it has to be a whole number...

$$x = -2-\sqrt(10),   y = \sqrt(10)-2$$

OR

$$x = \sqrt(10)-2,   y = -2-\sqrt(10)$$

anonymous · Answer

You can always use the quadratic formula and solve for a.

I don't see any elegant solution using whole numbers.

dumbcow · Answer

true, but usually integers are implied when factoring

anonymous · Answer

Wolfram Alpha couldn't find an answer and neither could I.

anonymous · Answer

I am sorry I wrote the equation wrong on my paper it is a^2-4az-60z^2

dumbcow · Answer

the goal isnt to solve i believe, just put into factored form :|

llort · Answer

(a-10 z) (a+6 z)

llort · Answer

it would help toget your numbers right...

dumbcow · Answer

Llort got it

llort · Answer

I always do... :P

anonymous · Answer

Sorry Llort

llort · Answer

it's ok