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How to factor 2x^2+x-15

1 Answer

4 votes

Answer:

(2x - 5) • (x + 3)

Explanation:

Step-1 : Multiply the coefficient of the first term by the constant 2 • -15 = -30


Step-2 : Find two factors of -30 whose sum equals the coefficient of the middle term, which is 1 .


-30 + 1 = -29

-15 + 2 = -13

-10 + 3 = -7

-6 + 5 = -1

-5 + 6 = 1 That's it


Step-3 : Rewrite the polynomial splitting the middle term using the two factors found in step 2 above, -5 and 6

2x2 - 5x + 6x - 15


Step-4 : Add up the first 2 terms, pulling out like factors :

x • (2x-5)

Add up the last 2 terms, pulling out common factors :

3 • (2x-5)

Step-5 : Add up the four terms of step 4 :

(x+3) • (2x-5)

Which is the desired factorization


Final result :

(2x - 5) • (x + 3)

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