Question

Factor:
x^2+8xy+12y^2

Answer 1

If it was x²+8x+12, then we would look for two numbers a and b, such that a+b=8 and ab=12. Then we would write it as (x+a)(y+b). I think you can come up with a and b.

Now we have x²+8xy+12y², so just put a y after a and b: (x+ay)(x+by), with a and b the same.

Answer 2

x times x is x^2

Answer 3

y times y is y^2