Question

4x^2-17x+4 factored please help I'm trying to do test corrections and I can't figure this one out

Answer 1

is there a step you don't get or do you just not know how to start

Answer 2

I'm not really sure where to start because usually you would take out the gcf but 17 is a prime number so you can't.

Answer 3

are you allowed to use "complete the square" method
or use the quadratic formula

Answer 4

here's a tip. when you come across an equation where there's a coefficient in front of the x^2, take it down and multiply by the constant. so yo u get x^2-17x+16. I'm sure you know how to factor now right. once you get your roots or x values, divide them by the coefficient which int his case is 4. i.e. (x-a)(x-b) normally after factoring. but in these cases, you have (x-a/4)(x-b/4) where a and b are your solved roots. remember your signs

Answer 5

not that good with this method
a*c = 16
factors of 16 that add up to 17 and also has a factor of 4 ' yes 17 is prime

Answer 6

@babalooo thanks for your input

Answer 7

Think of the FOIL method and the constraints you have to meet. If you end up with something of the form (ax+b)(cx+d)

The "Firsts" have to multiply to 4 (ac=4)
The "Lasts have to multiply to 4. (bd=4)

Now, the outers and inners have to sum to 17. (ad + bc = 17)

The good news is there just aren't that many choices for a, b, c, d, given that ac=4 and bd=4. As @babalooo said above, watch your signs.