Question

How do you factor the expression 2x^2-5x-3

Answer 1

break down the middle term first
\[\implies 2x^2 - 6x + x - 3\]
now group
\[\implies (2x^2 - 6x) + (x-3)\]
now factor each group
\[\implies 2x(x - 3) + (x-3)\]
now factor out
\[\implies (x - 3)(2x+1)\]
does that help?

Answer 2

What do you mean factor out

Answer 3

take the common factor and factor it out

Answer 4

in the case of 2x(x-3) + (x-3) the common factor is (x-3) so you "factor it out"

got it?

Answer 5

What steps do you take in factoring something out

Answer 6

breaking down the middle term...?

Answer 7

I'll be more specific. How did you go from that to (2x+1) (x-3)

Answer 8

do you get it now?