Question

factor: 6x^2-5x-1

Answer 1

First find common multiples for the 6, then for the 1. The 6 can have 1,6 2,3 3,2 or 6,1. Next draw an x. Place the factors of 6 on the left side and the factors of 1 on the right side. Put the 6 on the top left side, 1 on the bottom left side (this is a factor of 6- 1 and 6) next put the factors on the right side for -1. I put 1 on the top and -1 on the bottom. Next cross multiply. And add the two values. These two values should add up to the middle term. They do -6+1=-5. now the top left and right form one of your factors. The left side is the 'x' portion. So the top portion makes (6x+1). The bottom makes (x-1). Therefore your answer is (6x+1)(x-1)=0

Answer 2

Thank you! (: