Question

factor the trinomial by grouping:
12m^2-11m+5
help!

Answer 1

The given expression has complex factors, and grouping is not intuitive.
Does the question happen to be
\(12m^2-17m+5\)?
If it is, then you can group as follows:
\(12m^2-12m -5m+5\)

Answer 2

no. thats why im confused also!

Answer 3

can i just do m(12m-11)-5 ?

Answer 4

For your information, the solution to \(12m^2-11m+5 =0\) is
\(\large x=\frac{11\pm\sqrt{119}i}{24}\)
Perhaps you could discuss this with your prof.

Answer 5

the answer was : (3m+1)(4m-5) . howw??!1

Answer 6

When expanded, it gives:
12m^2-11m-5
Check you question.
On the other hand,
12m^2-11m-5
=12m^2+4m -15m-5
you can get the grouping by checking
product=12*-5=-60
sum=-11
You look for m,n such that m+n=-11, m*n=-60.
So, after some trials, you will find m=-15, n=4
Now you can group, using n=4, to get
12m^2+4m -15m-5
Alternatively, using m=-15, you will get
12m^2-15m +4m-5

Both will work in factorization.
Note: ratios 12:4=-15:-5, or 12:-15=4:-5