Example

Factoring x2+11x+24x^2 + 11x + 24

Factor x2+11x+24x^2 + 11x + 24 by applying the strategy for trinomials of the form x2+bx+cx^2 + bx + c.

Step 1 — Set up two binomials with first terms xx: (x)(x)(x\quad)(x\quad).

Step 2 — Find two numbers that multiply to 2424 and add to 1111. List the factor pairs of 2424 and check their sums:

  • 11, 2424 (sum is 2525)
  • 22, 1212 (sum is 1414)
  • 33, 88 (sum is 1111) ✓
  • 44, 66 (sum is 1010)

The pair 33 and 88 works because their product is 2424 and their sum is 1111.

Step 3 — Use 33 and 88 as the last terms of the binomials: (x+3)(x+8)(x + 3)(x + 8).

Step 4 — Check by multiplying: (x+3)(x+8)=x2+8x+3x+24=x2+11x+24(x + 3)(x + 8) = x^2 + 8x + 3x + 24 = x^2 + 11x + 24 ✓.

The factored form is (x+3)(x+8)(x + 3)(x + 8).

0

1

Updated 2026-04-29

Contributors are:

Who are from:

Tags

OpenStax

Intermediate Algebra @ OpenStax

Ch.6 Factoring - Intermediate Algebra @ OpenStax

Algebra

Related