Question

Factor this trinomial x^2+8x+12

Answer 1

Answer: (x+2)(x+6)

Reason:

We look for two values that

• a) multiply to 12
• b) add to 8

Using trial and error, you should find those two values are 2 and 6

• 2 times 6 = 12
• 2 plus 6 = 8

This is how we arrive at (x+2)(x+6)

Use the FOIL rule to expand that out and you should get x^2+8x+12 to confirm the answer.