Example

Factoring y2+17y+60y^2 + 17y + 60

Factor y2+17y+60y^2 + 17y + 60 by applying the trinomial factoring strategy. Because the variable is yy, each binomial factor begins with yy.

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

Step 2 — Find two numbers that multiply to 60 and add to 17. List the factor pairs of 60 and check their sums:

Factors of 60Sum of factors
1,601, 601+60=611 + 60 = 61
2,302, 302+30=322 + 30 = 32
3,203, 203+20=233 + 20 = 23
4,154, 154+15=194 + 15 = 19
5,125, 125+12=175 + 12 = 17
6,106, 106+10=166 + 10 = 16

The pair 55 and 1212 has a product of 60 and a sum of 17.

Step 3 — Use 5 and 12 as the last terms of the binomials: (y+5)(y+12)(y + 5)(y + 12).

Step 4 — Check by multiplying: (y+5)(y+12)=y2+12y+5y+60=y2+17y+60(y + 5)(y + 12) = y^2 + 12y + 5y + 60 = y^2 + 17y + 60 ✓.

The factored form is (y+5)(y+12)(y + 5)(y + 12). This example illustrates that when the constant term has many factor pairs, a systematic listing approach helps ensure the correct pair is found. Here, 6060 has six factor pairs, and each must be checked until the pair whose sum matches the middle coefficient is identified.

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Updated 2026-04-21

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