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What is the factor of these general trinomial 2x2 - 5x - 12??

1 Answer

4 votes

Answer:

(x - 4)(2x + 3)

Explanation:

Given

2x² - 5x - 12

Consider the factors of the product of the coefficient of the x² term and the constant which sum to give the coefficient of the x- term.

product = 2 × - 12 = - 24 and sum = - 5

The factors are - 8 and + 3

Use these factors to split the x- term

2x² - 8x + 3x - 12 ( factor the first/second and third/fourth terms )

= 2x(x - 4) + 3(x - 4) ← factor out (x - 4) from each term

= (x - 4)(2x + 3) ← in factored form

The factors are (x - 4) and (2x + 3)

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