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Example #1: 6x2 + 19x + 10 Find numbers that: multiply to 60 and add to 19: They are 15 and 4 ... use them to split the middle term: = 6x2 + 15x + 4x + 10 Now find common factors for each group of two: = 3x(2x + 5) +2(2x + 5) The common bracket is the common factor: = (2x + 5) (3x + 2) |
Another example: 8x2 - 2xy - 3y2 Find numbers that: multiply to -24 and add to -2: They are +4 and -6 ... use them to split the middle term: = 8x2 + 4xy - 6xy - 3y2 Now find common factors for each group of two: = 4x(2x + y) -3y(2x + y) The common bracket is the common factor: = (2x + y) (4x - 3y) |