Question

I need help on this problem I don't understand how to factor this a^2-6a+8

Answer 1

is it factoring?

Answer 2

(a-4) (a-2)

Answer 3

yes
its factoring
I see the a^2 and the 8 but where is the 6a?

Answer 4

Carolinejean are you still there?

Answer 5

dude thats the answer.

Answer 6

think of if this way ... the format of a quadratic is \[ax^2+bx+c=0\] right ?
to factor, think of what 2 numbers multiply to make up c or in this case +8, and at the same time add to b or in this case -6 ... \[-2*-4=8\] and \[-2 + -4 =-6\]... so we write \[(x-2)(x-3)=0\] and to solve, since it is a multiplication of 2 terms, then we should have 2 cases where this is valid :\[(x-2)=0 ==> x=2\] or \[(x-3)=0 ==> x=3\] voila!