Given the following trinomial:
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Since the given trinomial is quadratic, there are two factors in this equation.
Step 1: Determine the factors of the first term, 2x².
There are no other possible factors of 2x² but 2x and x.
Therefore, we can now generate the initial factors.

Let A and B represent the unknown constants of the factors to be able to get the product of 2x² + 7x + 4.
Step 2: Let's determine A and B.
Let's think of possible constants of A and B that have a product of 4 and a sum of 7x when adding A multiplied by x and B multiplied by 2x.
Let's list down possible pairs.
TABLE
Sum of 4 (A and B) Sum of 7x
1 and 4 1(x) + 4(2x) = x + 8x = 9x
2 and 2 (2)(x) + 2(2x) = 2x + 4x = 6x
4 and 1 4(x) + 1(2x) = 4x + 2x = 6x
-1 and -4 -1(x) - 4(2x) = -x - 8x = -9x
-4 and -1 -4(x) - 1(2x) = -4x - 2x = -6x
None of the possible factors are possible to complete the equation, therefore, we can say that the given trinomial is not a perfect square and is not factorable.
If we are tasked to factor the trinomial by completing the square, we get:




The constant must be 3 and not 4 for it to be factorable and will
give you (2x + 1)(x + 3) = -1.