Question

How do you factor completely/find prime factors in this equation??:5x^2-35x+60

Answer 1

You may start by factoring out the 5.

Answer 2

\( \color{Black}{\Rightarrow 5(x^2 - 7x + 12) }\)

Answer 3

Do you have an idea of how to factor trinomials?

Answer 4

yes wouldn't it be (x-3)(x-4)??

Answer 5

Yes, so the final answer would be 5(x - 3)(x - 4) because we had factored out a 5 in the beginning :)

Answer 6

what I don't understand is why you factored the 5 first

Answer 7

It is to simplify it.

Answer 8

but why specifically the 5?? why not the 35x or the 60?

Answer 9

It's because the GCF(greatest common factor) is 5.

Answer 10

oh! so you always factor any equation with the GCF?

Answer 11

?

Answer 12

If you have a GCF in a quadratic expression, then you factor it out first.

Answer 13

alright! THANKS!!