Question

Can someone help me figure this problem out step by step?: x^2+5x+4

Answer 1

@pllfan
f( -1) = ....?
Can you continue?

Answer 2

Sorry I didn't understand that

Answer 3

Oh ok

Answer 4

Wait I'm sorry this is factoring

Answer 5

you want that quadratic expression factored?

Answer 6

Yes please

Answer 7

think of two numbers, a and b, such that their product is 4 and their sum is 5:

a * b = 4
a + b = 5

can you guess at what a and b could be?

Answer 8

a = ??
b = ??

so that a * b = 4, and a + b = 5

Answer 9

a=2 b=3

Answer 10

Wait no 1 and 5

Answer 11

Oh wait then that would be 2 and 2

Answer 12

1 * 5 = 4
1 + 5 = 5
???

Answer 13

2*2 = 4
2 + 2 = 5
??? try again...

Answer 14

I'm sorry I don't get this. 2 and 2=4 but the 3+2=5

Answer 15

the factors of 4 have to add up to 5... two isn't correct because 2 + 2 \(\ne \) 5

Answer 16

you there?

Answer 17

Yes then I don't think that would be possible

Answer 18

for
x^2+5x+4

I would look at the last number +4
list all the ways to multiply 2 numbers to get 4 (can you do that?)
1,4
2,2
are the ways

then I would look at the middle term 5x. it has +5. do any of the pairs add up to 5?
if so, those are are guys

if you find the right pair, use them in (x+a)(x+b)
(x+1)(x+4)