Answer: Factoring p2+8p+7
The first term is, p2 its coefficient is 1 .
The middle term is, +8p its coefficient is 8 .
The last term, "the constant", is +7
Step-1 : Multiply the coefficient of the first term by the constant 1 • 7 = 7
Step-2 : Find two factors of 7 whose sum equals the coefficient of the middle term, which is 8 .
-7 + -1 = -8
-1 + -7 = -8
1 + 7 = 8 That's it
Step-3 : Rewrite the polynomial splitting the middle term using the two factors found in step 2 above, 1 and 7
p2 + 1p + 7p + 7
Step-4 : Add up the first 2 terms, pulling out like factors :
p • (p+1)
Add up the last 2 terms, pulling out common factors :
7 • (p+1)
Step-5 : Add up the four terms of step 4 :
(p+7) • (p+1)
Which is the desired factorization
Equation at the end of step 1 :
(p + 7) • (p + 1) = 0
Explanation: