Example

Factoring 7n+12+n2-7n + 12 + n^2

To factor the trinomial 7n+12+n2-7n + 12 + n^2, it must first be written in descending order of degree (standard form). Rearranging the terms yields n27n+12n^2 - 7n + 12. Because the leading coefficient is 11, find two numbers that multiply to the constant term, 1212, and add to the middle coefficient, 7-7. Since the constant term is positive and the middle coefficient is negative, both numerical factors must be negative. The negative factor pairs of 1212 are 1-1 and 12-12, 2-2 and 6-6, and 3-3 and 4-4. The pair 3-3 and 4-4 works because (3)(4)=12(-3)(-4) = 12 and 3+(4)=7-3 + (-4) = -7. Using 3-3 and 4-4 as the constant terms in the binomials, the factored form is (n3)(n4)(n - 3)(n - 4). Verify the result by multiplying: (n3)(n4)=n24n3n+12=n27n+12(n - 3)(n - 4) = n^2 - 4n - 3n + 12 = n^2 - 7n + 12. The completely factored form is (n3)(n4)(n - 3)(n - 4).

0

1

Updated 2026-04-29

Contributors are:

Who are from:

Tags

OpenStax

Intermediate Algebra @ OpenStax

Ch.6 Factoring - Intermediate Algebra @ OpenStax

Algebra

Related