Example

Factoring y216y+63y^2 - 16y + 63

To factor the trinomial y216y+63y^2 - 16y + 63, find two numbers that multiply to 6363 and add to 16-16. Since the constant term (6363) is positive and the middle term (16y-16y) is negative, both numerical factors must be negative.

List the negative factor pairs of 6363:

  • 1-1 and 63-63: sum is 64-64
  • 3-3 and 21-21: sum is 24-24
  • 7-7 and 9-9: sum is 16-16 The pair 7-7 and 9-9 adds to 16-16.

Use these numbers to construct the binomial factors: (y7)(y9)(y - 7)(y - 9).

Verify by multiplying: (y7)(y9)=y29y7y+63=y216y+63(y - 7)(y - 9) = y^2 - 9y - 7y + 63 = y^2 - 16y + 63.

The factored form is (y7)(y9)(y - 7)(y - 9).

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Updated 2026-04-29

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