Question

Using complete sentences, explain how to completely factor 3x2 − 3x − 60.
please help...

Answer 1

The first thing we can do to simplify things is to factor out 3 from the equation.
\[3(x^{2} - x - 20)\]
So our first term is a positive x squared, the simplest of them all.
So we check out our second and third terms.
If they are both negative, or the second term is negative and the third is positive, then
we look for factors of the third term which can be SUBTRACTED to get the coefficient of the second term.

To demonstrate, the coefficient of the second term (-x) is -1.
The third term is 20.
Is there a pair of factors for 20 that when subtracted give -1?

Yes there is!

4 * 5 = 20, 4 - 5 = -1.

Since our second term is negative, we make 5 (the bigger factor) negative and 4 positive.
so it's
(x + 4)(x - 5)

So our final factored equation is:

\[3(x + 4)(x - 5)\]

I hope that was helpful. If something needs to be clarified, please let me know :)

Answer 2

yeah that help me alot thanks <3

Answer 3

No problem :)