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The first step in factoring a trinomial of the form ax^2+bx+c is to find two numbers, m and n, such that m + n = b and _____

A.
mn=ab
B.
mn=bc
C.
mn=ac
D.
mn=x^2

Question

help 
The first step in factoring a trinomial of the form ax^2+bx+c is to find two numbers, m and n, such that m + n = b and  _____

A.
mn=ab
B.
mn=bc
C.
mn=ac
D.
mn=x^2

freckles · Answer

do you know how to factor this:

2x^2+3x+1 ?

freckles · Answer

like what would you do to go about factoring it

anonymous · Answer

x+1, 2x+1

freckles · Answer

i guess those are the factors you found 
so saying you got (x+1)(2x+1)
but how did you get that?

freckles · Answer

the how part is important 
for this particular question

freckles · Answer

try multiplying (x+1) and (2x+1) out 
(x+1)(2x+1)
2x^2+2x+1x+1
2x^2+(2+1)x+1
look at the b term notice in your question that is your b=m+n
what happens in our example if you multiply the m and n?

freckles · Answer

have you notice that b has been written as m+n
that is your 3 has been written as 2+1 (do you notice this?)