Question

Part 1: Jameel and Sarah are discussing how to factor 3b^2 + 8b + 4. Jameel feels this trinomial is prime because he cannot find factors of 4 that have a sum of 8. Sarah says he is incorrect and that it is factorable.

Using complete sentences, provide a convincing argument explaining who is correct and why. If this trinomial is factorable, factor it showing all work and explain your steps.

Part 2: Create your own prime trinomial in the form ax^2 + bx + c. Using complete sentences, explain how you know it is prime.

Answer 1

(3b+2)(b+2)

Answer 2

Jameel is obviously wrong because the expression has factors as shown above. Jameel's rules work when the coefficient of b^2 is 1. In this case, that is not true.

Answer 3

thanks a million