Question

How would you factor m^2+m+1/4? Please show steps.

Answer 1

(m^2) + (m) + (1/4) is what you want factored?

Answer 2

The terms in the function are the first of all.

Answer 3

That would be different from (m^2)+((m+1)/4)
or ((m^2)+(m+1))/4

Answer 4

(m^2)+(m)+(1/4)

Answer 5

(m+2)(m-1) would give you your second m when multiplied, then all you need is to make turn the -2 into 1/4

Answer 6

1st account for your m^2 and m terms

Answer 7

Actually alternatively you could even factor it evenly into 2 factors. m must be in both factors to get m^2 you know. Then they other numbers will be add up to 1 and multiply together to get (1/4). Can you think of those 2 numbers?

Answer 8

Would that answer be 1/2?

Answer 9

Yes

Answer 10

Acknowledging the formula for factoring (a^2)+(2ab)+(b^2)=(a+b)(a+b)
In this situation 2ab= 1m and a^2 = 1m^2 therefore 2b=1m b=1/2 since a=m=1