Factoring Trinomials

Front

What is a trinomial?

Back

A trinomial is a polynomial that consists of three terms, typically in the form ax^2 + bx + c.

Front

What does it mean to factor a trinomial?

Back

Factoring a trinomial involves rewriting it as a product of two binomials.

Front

What is the general form of a factored trinomial?

Back

The general form is (px + q)(rx + s), where p, q, r, and s are constants.

Front

How do you identify the coefficients in a trinomial?

Back

In the trinomial ax^2 + bx + c, 'a' is the coefficient of x^2, 'b' is the coefficient of x, and 'c' is the constant term.

Front

What is the first step in factoring a trinomial?

Back

The first step is to identify the coefficients a, b, and c from the trinomial.

Front

What is the significance of the discriminant in factoring?

Back

The discriminant (b^2 - 4ac) helps determine the nature of the roots of the trinomial. If it's positive, there are two distinct real roots; if zero, one real root; if negative, no real roots.

Front

How do you factor the trinomial 3a^2 + 4a + 1?

Back

The trinomial factors to (3a + 1)(a + 1).

Front

What is the factored form of 3v^2 - 4v - 7?

Back

The factored form is (3v - 7)(v + 1).

Front

How do you factor 9x^2 - 6x - 8?

Back

The trinomial factors to (3x + 2)(3x - 4).

Front

What is a binomial?

Back

A binomial is a polynomial that consists of two terms, typically in the form ax + b.