Factor the trinomial a2 – 5a – 20

Question

Factor the trinomial  a2 – 5a – 20

inkyvoyd · Answer

There are no rational factors to this trinomial. If you are looking for a rational factor, are you sure you typed it in correctly?

anonymous · Answer

That is the problem i was given...

inkyvoyd · Answer

May I ask, what is the name of the course you are enrolled in? There are a number of ways to do this, but not all of them are relevant to you.

anonymous · Answer

Algebra 1

inkyvoyd · Answer

ok. In all likelihood, if this is the EXACT problem you were given than it is a mistake. While it is possible to factor the trinomial, you will deal with irrational numbers in the result. Given the level of your course I am fairly certain that it is irrelevant.

Can I also ask, where did you receive this question? If it was in a traditional public brick and mortar high school or middle school i would suggest that you simply tell the teacher that you had trouble factoring it and ask him/her for help. If it is online, I would sugges tyou take the same course of action.

anonymous · Answer

Its in a normal highschool , i think it was a typo it might be -a2 -5a -20

inkyvoyd · Answer

Well, -(a^2+5a+20) is not factorable in the rationals either.