Learn Before
Factoring
Factor by applying the trinomial factoring strategy. The constant term is negative, so the two numbers in the factor pair must have opposite signs — one positive and one negative. We need factors of whose sum is positive 4.
Step 1 — Set up two binomials with first terms : .
Step 2 — Find two numbers with opposite signs that multiply to and add to 4. List both sign arrangements of each factor pair of and check their sums:
| Factors of | Sum of factors |
|---|---|
| ✓ |
Both arrangements must be tested because the sign assignment determines whether the sum is positive or negative. The pair and has a product of and a sum of 4.
Step 3 — Use and as the last terms of the binomials: .
Step 4 — Check by multiplying: ✓.
The factored form is . This example shows that when is negative, both sign arrangements of a factor pair must be considered to ensure the middle term has the correct sign.
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Ch.7 Factoring - Elementary Algebra @ OpenStax
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Factoring
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Learn After
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