Question

Can someone backwards foil this for me?
3t^2+7t-20
I'm having trouble with this problem-.-

Answer 1

first coefficient: 3
last term: -20

multiply the two to get 3*(-20) = -60

you need to find two numbers that multiply to -60 and add to +7 (the middle coefficient)

what are these two numbers?

Answer 2

@jim_thompson5910 5 and 12, one of them would be negative

Answer 3

yes it would be +12 and -5


12 times -5 = -60
12 plus -5 = 7

Answer 4

since the two numbers are 12 and -5, this means you break up 7x into 12x-5x

Answer 5

sorry, not x, t

Answer 6

3t^2+7t-20

3t^2+12t-5t-20

now factor by grouping

Answer 7

But what do I do with the 3? @jim_thompson5910

Answer 8

3t^2+12t-5t-20

(3t^2+12t)+(-5t-20)

3t(t+4)-5(t+4)

I'll let you finish up