To factor the expression ax² + bx + c, we can use the quadratic formula:
where x1, and x2 are the zeros, or roots, of the polynomial. And the factored expression will be:
For example, if the expression is 5x² -35x + 60, then a = 5, b = -35 and c = 60. Substituting into the formula we get:
Then, the factored expression is:
5x² -35x + 60 = 5(x - 4)(x - 3)