Example

Factoring 49x2+84xy+36y249x^2 + 84xy + 36y^2

Factor the two-variable trinomial 49x2+84xy+36y249x^2 + 84xy + 36y^2 by applying the perfect square trinomials pattern.

Step 1: Check if the trinomial fits the perfect square pattern a2+2ab+b2a^2 + 2ab + b^2.

  • Is the first term a perfect square? Yes: 49x2=(7x)249x^2 = (7x)^2, so a=7xa = 7x.
  • Is the last term a perfect square? Yes: 36y2=(6y)236y^2 = (6y)^2, so b=6yb = 6y.
  • Is the middle term 2ab2ab? Check: 2(7x)(6y)=84xy2(7x)(6y) = 84xy. Yes, the middle term matches.

Step 2: Write the expression as the square of a binomial. Because the middle term is positive, use the pattern (a+b)2(a + b)^2: 49x2+84xy+36y2=(7x+6y)249x^2 + 84xy + 36y^2 = (7x + 6y)^2

Step 3: Check by multiplying: (7x+6y)2=(7x)2+2(7x)(6y)+(6y)2=49x2+84xy+36y2(7x + 6y)^2 = (7x)^2 + 2(7x)(6y) + (6y)^2 = 49x^2 + 84xy + 36y^2

The factored form is (7x+6y)2(7x + 6y)^2.

0

1

Updated 2026-04-29

Contributors are:

Who are from:

Tags

OpenStax

Intermediate Algebra @ OpenStax

Ch.6 Factoring - Intermediate Algebra @ OpenStax

Algebra

Related