Question

I don't want the answer up front, I want someone to help me complete the problem. But please try to be a bit fast, I'm under time pressure right now. (Not a quiz I just have to sleep.)

Question:

Explain how a four-term polynomial is factored by grouping and when a quadratic trinomial can be factored using this method. Include examples in your explanation.

Answer 1

@mathstudent55

Answer 2

@zepdrix @triciaal

Answer 3

@mathstudent55 @mathstudent55 @mathstudent55 @mathstudent55 @mathstudent55 @mathstudent55 @mathstudent55 @mathstudent55 @mathstudent55 @mathstudent55 @mathstudent55 @mathstudent55 @mathstudent55 @mathstudent55 @mathstudent55 @mathstudent55 @mathstudent55 @mathstudent55 @mathstudent55 @mathstudent55 @mathstudent55 @mathstudent55 @mathstudent55 @mathstudent55 @mathstudent55 @mathstudent55 @mathstudent55 @mathstudent55 @mathstudent55 @mathstudent55

Answer 4

@mathstudent55 Actually, if you're busy you can go. This is helping me a lot:

http://openstudy.com/study#/updates/536a3f06e4b031e831a9546f

Answer 5

To factor a four-term polynomial by grouping, you must be able to factor a common factor out of the first two terms and a common factor out of the last two terms. Then what is left from the two factorings must be equal. Then you factor out that common factor to finish your factoring.

Answer 6

I'll still give you a medal though :)

Answer 7

This is best explained with an example.

Answer 8

Example:
Factor the following 4-term polynomial by grouping.
\(8x^2 + 10x + 12x + 15\)

Answer 9

@mathstudent55 It's really hard to pay attention to 2 sources, no offense.

Answer 10

The first rule of factoring is to always look for a common factor for all terms.
We see that there is no common factor for 8, 10, 12, 15.

Answer 11

Now we begin to factor by grouping.
We first factor a common factor out of the first two terms.

\(8x^2 + 10x + 12x + 15\)

\(=2x(4x + 5) + 12x + 15\)

Now we factor a common factor out of the last two terms:

Example:
Factor the following 4-term polynomial by grouping.

\(= 2x(4x + 5) + 3(4x + 5)\)

Now we see that after the two factorings, there is a common factor: 4x + 5

Now we factor out 4x + 5:

\(= (4x + 5)(2x + 3)\)

That is the final answer. The 4-term polynomial was factored by grouping.

Answer 12

1. I agree.
2. I am not offended.
3. By finishing the example I started and explaining it, you can come back later whenever you are less pressured.
4. Then you can read it to understand how factoring by grouping works.
5. If you have any questions, please ask. I'll try to answer them next time I'm on OS.

Answer 13

@mathstudent55 Alright, thanks for all your help on this anyways. Wonder what I'm gonna do for my other 3 questions though... lolololololol

Answer 14

It's very late for me.
If you post the other questions and tag me, I'll try to help you tomorrow.

Answer 15

Alright, that's fine. Goodnight bro :)

Answer 16

gnite