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.
Part 2: What could Alyssa have done to check the accuracy of her factors before submitting her Module 3 test?

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.
Part 2: What could Alyssa have done to check the accuracy of her factors before submitting her Module 3 test?

slaaibak · Answer

No.  Her factors should be (x-4)(x+1) 

Not sure how to give it in full sentences tho :/

anonymous · Answer

yeahh i dont know how to put it into sentences either :/

slaaibak · Answer

To check her accuracy, she can multiply her factors and she if she ends up with the starting equation

slaaibak · Answer

*and check if she ends up with the starting equation

anonymous · Answer

Her factors should be NEGATIVE four (-4) and POSITIVE one (1), which adds up to -3. Which indeed are (x+4)(x-1)=0.
Did you type the problem incorrectly?

anonymous · Answer

no thats the problem on my test