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Factor the following trinomial completely, or state that the trinomial is prime.

3x^2+10xy + 8y^2

Factor the following trinomial completely, or state that the trinomial is prime. 3x-example-1
User Musecz
by
5.3k points

1 Answer

4 votes

Answer:

(3x + 4y)(x + 2y)

Explanation:

3x^2+ 10xy + 8y^2

All signs are positive, so we'll only look at positive factors of 3 and 8.

3 factors into 3 and 1.

8 factors into 4 and 2, and it also factors into 8 and 1.

I like to try closer factors in value, so I'll start with 4 and 2 for 8.

Try:

(3x + 2y)(x + 4y) = 3x^2 + 12xy + 2xy + 8y^2 = 3x^2 + 14xy + 8y^2

The middle term does not work. Switch 2y and 4y and try again.

Try:

(3x + 4y)(x + 2y) = 3x^2 + 6xy + 4xy + 8y^2 = 3x^2 + 10xy + 8y^2

It works.

Answer: (3x + 4y)(x + 2y)

User Delance
by
5.4k points
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