18q^2-33qt+14t^2=?

Question

18q^2-33qt+14t^2=?

anonymous · Answer

it could equal anything

anonymous · Answer

$$18 q^2-33 \text{qt}+14 t^2=(6 q-7 t) (3 q-2 t) $$

anonymous · Answer

What is the best way to determine which values to use in front of the variables in a problem like this? My textbook simply says to guess but that doesn't seem like the best solution to me... Thanks, robtobey!

anonymous · Answer

I used Mathematica to factor this problem expression.  One selects the expression with the mouse and then clicks the "Factor" button in the Algebraic Manipulation palette.

By pencil and paper you examine the factors of 14 and 18 and try to get a combination that add or subtract to 33.

google, "how to factor degree 2 polynomials"  or a similar worded search.  The web is loaded with math types that want to tell you their version of how to solve this and that.