Explain how to factor the following trinomials forms: x2 + bx + c and ax2 + bx + c. Is there more than one way to factor this? Show your answer using both words and mathematical notation.

Question

mathstudent55 · Answer

For the first type, x^2 + bx + c, you need two numbers that multiply to c and add up to b. Call these numbers p & q. Then the factorization is (x + p)(x + q).
For the second type, ax^2 + bx + c, first multiply a and c together to get ac. Then come up with two numbers that multiply to ac and add up to b. Call the numbers m and n. Then rewrite ax^2 + bx + c as ax^2 + mx + nx + c. Then factor by parts, which means take a common factor out of the first two terms and take a common factor out of the last two terms. Then pull out a common binomial.
There are other ways of doing it. This is just one of them.

anonymous · Answer

This makes so much more sense now! Thanks a bunch

mathstudent55 · Answer

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