Question

Would you help me solve 3x^2 - 7x - 6 = 0 by factoring?

Answer 1

Sure, I'm happy to help. First, multiply A by C. Do you know what that means?

Answer 2

3x^2 - 7x - 6 = 0

First multiply 3 by -6

Answer 3

foil says the first numbers must be multiplied to 3x^2
so
(3x )(x )

Answer 4

@1lorax2, I'm pretty sure that would be 3(-6), correct?

Answer 5

do u remember all the step for FOIL?

Answer 6

You are. Now then, (I hope I'm remembering correctly, please correct me if I'm not @Zale101 ), you need to find two factors of -18 (i.e 3(-6)) that equal b

Answer 7

@Zale101 Yes, I can set up the foil just get confused when the number before x is higher than 2. The pair that would multiply to create -6 but add to get -7 would be 6 and 1.
But how would you get to seven while keeping - 6?
It would have to be a negative and a positive and none seem to add to -7?

Answer 8

@jsmusic3 You have to factor out common terms in the first two terms, then in the last two terms. You have to split them

3x2+2x

−9x−6

Answer 9

@Zale101 Excuse my last post, I forgot about multiplying A and C and getting -18.

Answer 10

3x^2 - 7x - 6 = 0

what multiplies to -6, but adds to -7

those two unknown (a and b) numbers that can be multiplied to -6 but added to -7 is the factor
for (3x -+ a) (x-+b)

Answer 11

factoring the terms: x(3x+2)−3(3x+2)

Answer 12

google chrome crashed for me

Answer 13

that's why i couldn't reply quickly :|

Answer 14

@jsmusic3 Factor out the common term for x(3x+2) −3(3x+2)

Answer 15

@Zale101 It seems every time I try the FOIL method,
(3x - 9)(x + 2) I am not coming out with something that doesn't equal 7. I have tried +9, -2, and -9, +2, and +6, - 3, and -6, +3.
Am I missing a step?
I am trying to find 2 numbers that multiply to equal -18 and add up to equal -7.

Answer 16

here are the steps

Answer 17

@TwinYang Thank you so much. You can't imagine how much this helped me. I had a hard time visualizing the steps out like that. I really appreciate you taking the time to write them out like that!