Question

what is the first step to factoring this equation?
6x^2+20x+6

Answer 1

i would break down the middle term first...

6x^2 + 18x + 2x + 6

what do you think comes next?

Answer 2

if you wonder how i break down the middle term...i think of two addends that are factors of 6

Answer 3

from 6x^2 + 18x + 2x + 6

factor it out..

6x(x+3) + 2(x+3)

factor out again...

(6x+2)(x+3)

Answer 4

i think the next step is to factor (answer is (6x+2)(x+3)