Question

Tracy says the quadratics below

factors to (x + 6)(x – 6). Is she
correct? Explain in words or show
work to prove your answer.
x2 – 12x + 36

Answer 1

no!

One way is to work backwards and check the factored form (x+6)(x-6) using the FOIL method.

Multiply the first terms, then outside terms, then inside terms, then last terms. Simplify and you will find the extended version of (x+6)(x-6) to be x^2-36, NOT the expression x^2-12x+36.