Question

Can someone explain how they would do it and help walk me through it, please.

Factor the following trinomial expression by a method of your choice: 7x^2 - 5x - 2.

A. (7x + 1)(x - 6)
B. (7x - 2)(x - 5)
C. (7x + 3)(x + 2)
D. (7x + 2)(x - 1)

Answer 1

one of the tricks to factor a trinomial with a coefficient other than one is multiply a and c of this equation with is in ax^2+bx+c form

Answer 2

you have three methods at your disposal muahaha
1) cross method
2) completing the square
3) general formula

since it cannot be solved with the cross method, and the second requires a pure x, i'll show you the general formula.




i got x=1 and x=-2/7
flip it and you'll get your answers

which is (x-1)(7x+2)