Question

Question 13

Factor the trinomial, if possible. If the trinomial cannot be factored using integers, write prime.
t2 – 2t + 4
a) (t – 4)(t – 4)
b) (t + 4)( t + 2)
c) prime
d) (t + 4)(t – 2)

Answer 1

Explanation:

Try completing the square: t^2 - 2t + 1 - 1 + 4 becomes (t - 1)^2 + 3. If we set this equal to zero we get (t - 1)^2 = -3. Normally we'd take the square root of both sides, but because that -3 is negative, this is not possible, and the square root of positive 3 is not integer. Thus, the correct response here is "prime."