Research (Math): Factoring Trinomials of the Form x2 + Bx + C
Factoring trinomials of the form x2 + Bx + C involves finding two numbers that
multiply to C (the constant term) and add to B (the coefficient of the linear term).
Steps:
1. Identify the value of B and C
2. Find two numbers that multiply to C and add to B. These two numbers will be
used to split the middle term.
3. Write the factors - Once you find the two numbers, say m and n, rewrite the
trinomial as
x2 + mx + nx + C
4. Factor by grouping
5. Final factorization - Factor out the common binomial to get the final factored
form.
Examples:
1.) x2 + 7x + 12
B = 7, C = 12
(Find two numbers that multiply to 12 and add to 7 – The numbers are 3 and 4)
Rewrite the trinomial: x2 + 3x + 4x + 12
Factor by grouping: x (x + 3) + 4 (x + 3)
Factor out the common binomial/s: (x + 3) (x + 4)
Therefor x2 + 7x + 12 factors to (x+3) (x+4)
2.) x2 + 8x + 15
B = 8, C = 15
(Find two numbers that multiply to 15 and add to 8 – The numbers are 3 and 5)
Rewrite the trinomial: x2 + 3x + 5x + 15
Factor by grouping: x (x + 3) + 5 (x + 3)
Factor out the common binomial/s: (x + 3) (x + 5)
Therefor x2 + 8x + 15 factors to (x+3) (x+5)
3.) x2 - 3x - 10
B = -3, C = -10
(Find two numbers that multiply to -10 and add to -3 – The numbers are 3 and 5)
Rewrite the trinomial: x2 - 5x + 2x - 10
Factor by grouping: x (x - 5) + 2 (x - 5)
Factor out the common binomial/s: (x – 5) (x + 2)
Therefor x2 - 3x - 10 factors to (x-5) (x+2)
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