Question

5x^2-5x-30

Factor completely

Ok I did this:

5(x^2-x-6) But now I am at a loss.

Answer 1

to factor x^2-x-6 you need to find two numbers that

a) multiply to -6 (the last term)

AND

b) add to -1 (the middle coefficient)

Answer 2

let me know what you get

Answer 3

-3 and 2 :D ty I just wasn't sure if I was going down the right direction. omg.

Answer 4

good, so that means

x^2 - x - 6

factors to

(x-3)(x+2)

Answer 5

On this one 15z^2+14z-8)

It shows that the answer is (3z+4)(5z-2) I expand it and got 15z^2-6z+20z-8

the -6+20z gets the 14z but I thought the middles had to multiple to gether to get the -8?

Answer 6

because the leading coefficient is NOT 1, we have to do it a slightly different way

Answer 7

multiply the first coefficient with the last term to get: 15*(-8) = -120

then you need to find two numbers that multiply to -120 AND add to 14 (middle coefficient)

Answer 8

I had completely forgot about that! Thank you.

Answer 9

you're welcome