Question

Alyssa gave the following explanation for factoring the trinomial x2 – 3x – 4: “I need to find factors of –4 that add to –3. 4 and –1 multiplies to –4 and adds to –3 so my factors are (x + 4)(x – 1).”

Part 1: Are Alyssa's factors correct? If not, explain where she made her mistake. (2 points) Part 2: What could Alyssa have done to check the accuracy of her factors before submitting her Module 3 test?

Answer 1

they are correct.

Answer 2

if you look at the factored form you can see that 4x + -1x = the -3x in the "un-factored" form..