Question

Solve: 3n^2-8n+5

Answer 1

Was there an equation of some sort?
Did you try factoring?

Answer 2

no didn't factor yet, i don't know how to solve this question at all.

Answer 3

It should say "=0" or something. Does it?

Answer 4

no it doesn't just says factor each polynomial

Answer 5

I see. The "solve" is just not the right word. "Factor" would be correct.

3n^2 -8n + 5

There is only one factorization of '3', so the factored result MUST look like this:

(3n _____)(n _____)

"5" is positive, so the factored result MUST look like one of these:

(3n - _____)(n - _____)
or
(3n + _____)(n + _____)

What do you suppose we should do next?

Answer 6

3n-1???

Answer 7

What factorizations of 5 are there? 1*5. That's it.

Since ther is only one factorization of 5, the answer must be one of these:

(3n - 1)(n - 5)
or
(3n + 1)(n + 5)
or
(3n - 5)(n - 1)
or
(3n + 5)(n + 1)

Wihtout multiplying all of those, how can we use the -8 to throw out two of them?

Answer 8

that's the problem that i am having i am confused.

Answer 9

No need to be confused. Just get the rules stuck in your head.

If you had to multipy those four things, could you do it? Show me one.

(3n + 1)(n + 5) = ??

Answer 10

Is this the solution? (3n-5) (n-1)

Answer 11

Why would you ask that? Are you just guessing? Did you follow some process?

Answer 12

yes is is the solution because when you end up with 3n^2-3n-5n+5= 3n^2-8n+5

Answer 13

How did you decide that was a possibility?