Question

HELP ASAP!!!!!!


When you factor a quadratic, what should your answer be?

Answer 1

When you factor a quadratic (polynomial) you express it as the product of two linear polynomials.

For example:

Factor the quadratic:
`x^2 -5x +6`
Answer:
`(x-2)(x-3)`

This is the answer because if you expand the product (x-2)(x-3) you get the given quadratic.

To find the factors you must find the roots using the quadratic formula:


`(-b\pm√(b^2-4ac))/(2a) = (5\pm√((-5)^2-4\cdot6))/(2) = (5\pm1)/(2) = \left \{ {{2} \atop {3}} \right.`

Some quadratics are irreducible, meaning that you cannot find a product like that. For example:
`x^2+1` is irreducible. You cannot factor it.