Question

Instructions: Factor the polynomial expression.3x² + 4x - 7Answer:

Answer 1

We want to factor the polynomial

3x² + 4x - 7

To do this, multiply the first term and the last term, we have

`3x^2*-7=-21x^2`

Now,

`\begin{gathered} look\text{ for two items with x, such that when you multiply, you get } \\ -21x^2,\text{ } \\ and\text{ when you add, you get } \\ 4x. \end{gathered}`

These two items are 7x and -3x because

`\begin{gathered} 7x*-3x=-21x^2 \\ 7x-3x=4x \end{gathered}`

Now, replace these items with the middle item, we have

`\begin{gathered} 3x^2+4x-7 \\ 3x^2+7x-3x-7 \\ x(3x+7)-1(3x+7) \\ =(x-1)(3x+7) \end{gathered}`

Hence the answer is

`(3x+7)(x-1)`