Question

Factor.

2x^2+7x+3
A) (2x+1)(x+3)
B) (2x+3)(x+1)
C) (2x+5)(x+1)
D) the polynomial is prime

Answer 1

A) (2x + 1)(x + 3)

Explanation:

Factor 2x² + 7x + 3

Since 2 is prime (it's only factors are 1 and itself) we know we can start out our factors as..

(2x + a)(x + b)

Three is also prime, so we either have

(2x + 1)(x + 3)

or

(2x + 3)(x + 1)

Foiling (2x + 1)(x + 3) will give us the result we want. So the answer is A