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How to find the factor of a trinomial?

User Robbit
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I can tell you about the 'ac' method of factoring trinomials by way of an example:-

Factor 3x^2 - 4x - 15

first multiply the first number by the last That is 3 * -15 = -45

Now we need to find 2 factors of -45 which will when added give - 4 ( the coefficient of x)

-9 and = 5 look like the ones so we write

3x^2 - 9x + 5x - 15

Now factor this by grouping:-

= 3x(x - 3) + 5(x - 3)

x - 3 is common to the 2 parts so we have:-

(3x + 5)(x - 3) <-------- These are your factors

Any trinomial can be factored in this way.
User Gdurelle
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