Question

Factor the following trinomial expression by a method of your choice: 2x^2 - 5x - 3.
A. (2x + 1)(x + 3)
B. (2x - 1)(x - 3)
C. (2x + 1)(x - 3)
D. (2x - 1)(x + 3)

Answer 1

Your last term is negative so the signs in the middle should be - in the one and + in the other. That excludes A and B. You with me?

Answer 2

Yeah.

Answer 3

So D.

Answer 4

We have -5x in the middle so we must have -6x and x when we multiply the factors. Can you figure out which one of C and D is right?

Answer 5

So D is incorrect? That is what I think it is.

Answer 6

D will give you 6x and -x. You still sure D is right? :)

Answer 7

Oh no then haha oops thank you.

Answer 8

Pleasure.