Question

can someone give me a quick run down of how to factorise

say

x^2+x-6=0

Answer 1

take the product of the last term and the coeff of the first

this case -6 x 1 = -6

now break the middle term into factors of -6

x = 3x - 2x

Answer 2

(x - 2) ( x + 3) = 0

Answer 3

goodness paul... ok we're going to generalize for almost every factorable expression this will work, but this is generally the long way:
Ax^2+Bx+C=0
find two numbers where A+C=B and B=AC these 2 numbers will be called y and z.
Ax^2 + yx + zx + C=0
then use grouping and follow through.

x^2 + x - 6 = 0
y and z would be -2 and 3.
x^2 - 2x + 3x -6 = 0
x(x-2) + 3(x-2)=0
The two quantites will always be the same. If not you did something wrong. Now you can use the distributive property.
(x+3)(x-2)=0
Now you know one of the two quantities has to be equal to 0, so create 2 equations and solve for x to get your 2 possible answers.

Answer 4

That took me a long time to write so I hope that makes sense...

Answer 5

h
m

can you give me another one that i can just practice on then? im pretty sure that made sense, but i want to be certain.

Answer 6

This course you're taking is weird Paul

Answer 7

how?

Answer 8

Well, it just is...I guess it's more of a review course

Answer 9

thats exactly what it is.

Answer 10

Hey paul I can show you how to factorize step by step

Answer 11

please do

Answer 12

Okay, hold on.

Answer 13

http://www.wiziq.com/online-class/575722-paul-class

Answer 14

Paul, have you clicked the link yet?

Answer 15

yeah
i started the class :(

Answer 16

i can hear you