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Factor x^2-6x+9 <<< Need Help?

User Src
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2 Answers

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x² - 6x + 9 =
(x - 3)(x - 3) or (x - 3)²

The factors would be (x - 3) and (x - 3).

If you need help factoring, you should talk to your teacher, but here's how I do it:

1. Look at the first term and its coefficient. Think of two possible numbers that would multiply to get the first term (i.e. 3x and 2x for 6x²) and put them first in the parentheses. You can also write all possible combinations on the side. However, this time, the only combination would be x and x multiplying to get x².

(x )(x )

2. Next, look at the last term. What two numbers multiply to get 9? Remember that two negative numbers can multiply to produce a positive one too. Basically, you're looking for two numbers that multiply to get 9 and add together to get -6. You might try all of the possible combinations, but none will work. In that case, you would go back to step 1 and try a different first term. In this case, though, there's only one combination for the first places, so that won't be necessary.

(x - 3)(x - 3)

Let me know if you have any more questions.
User MichaelN
by
7.1k points
4 votes
Hey!!
So to factor it, you want to see what 2 numbers will multiply and make 9 and what 2 numbers will add and make -6.
so 9 and 1 and -9 and -1 make 9 but they dont make -6.
3 and 3 and -3 and -3 make 9, but we need to see which one makes -6. that would be -3 and -3
so the answer is (x-3)(x-3)

you can foil to make sure.
x * x is x^2
-3*x=-3x
-3*x=-3x
-3x-3x = -6x
-3*-3 is 9
so it is x^2-6x+9 which makes the original equation

Hope this helps!
User Ugavetheroses
by
8.0k points

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