Factor the trinomial: 2x^2 + 7x + 3

Question

smored · Answer

is that 2*2?

smored · Answer

or $$2x^{2}$$

anonymous · Answer

2x^2

smored · Answer

(2x+1)(x+3)

campbell_st · Answer

well start this way for a quadratic 

$$y = ax^2 + bx + c$$

multiply and and c

in your question is 2 and 3

then find the factors that add to 7

write it as 

(2x + factor 1)(2x + factor 2)
--------------------------
                     2

find a common factor in a binomial, it will cancel with the denominator..

whats left is the factored expression... 

works every time.

mathmale · Answer

smored, I agree with your factors.  But more important is the method you used to obtain them.  Mind explaining that for MM's benefit?

smored · Answer

@mathmale i agree with you. next time ill try to explain.

mathmale · Answer

Campbell factored using the quadratic formula to identify roots of the trinomial.  OK.
Perhaps smored used factoring by grouping to identify the actual factors.  or not.  OK.
There are other methods besides these.

campbell_st · Answer

why use the quadratic formula when this method is perfect for every difficult factorable quadratic.. 

read the method and try it... you may learn something

anonymous · Answer

@campbell_st Thank you for your help and the wonderful explanation!
@smored and @mathmale I appreciate ya'lls help!