Example

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

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

  • -1 and -63: sum is -64
  • -3 and -21: sum is -24
  • -7 and -9: sum is -16

The pair -7 and -9 adds to -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 2026-06-24

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