Example

Factoring 6x2+13x+26x^2 + 13x + 2 Using the ac Method

Factor the trinomial 6x2+13x+26x^2 + 13x + 2 using the ac method.

Step 1 — Factor any GCF. The terms 6x26x^2, 13x13x, and 22 share no common factor.

Step 2 — Find the product acac. Here a=6a = 6 and c=2c = 2, so ac=62=12ac = 6 \cdot 2 = 12.

Step 3 — Find two numbers mm and nn that multiply to 12 and add to 13. Both numbers must be positive. The pair m=1m = 1 and n=12n = 12 works: 112=121 \cdot 12 = 12 and 1+12=131 + 12 = 13.

Step 4 — Split the middle term 13x13x into x+12xx + 12x: 6x2+13x+2=6x2+x+12x+26x^2 + 13x + 2 = 6x^2 + x + 12x + 2

Step 5 — Factor by grouping. Group the four terms into two pairs and factor the GCF from each pair: x(6x+1)+2(6x+1)x(6x + 1) + 2(6x + 1) Both groups share the common binomial factor (6x+1)(6x + 1). Factor it out: (6x+1)(x+2)(6x + 1)(x + 2)

Step 6 — Check by multiplying: (6x+1)(x+2)=6x2+12x+x+2=6x2+13x+2(6x + 1)(x + 2) = 6x^2 + 12x + x + 2 = 6x^2 + 13x + 2

The factored form is (6x+1)(x+2)(6x + 1)(x + 2).

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Updated 2026-04-29

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