Factoring Trinomials

Front

What is a trinomial?

Back

A trinomial is a polynomial with 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 factoring a trinomial?

Back

The general form is ax^2 + bx + c = (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 look for two numbers that multiply to ac (the product of a and c) and add to b.

Front

Factor the trinomial: 5x^2 - 7x + 2

Back

(5x - 2)(x - 1)

Front

Factor the trinomial: 4n^2 - 17n - 15

Back

(n - 5)(4n + 3)

Front

Factor the trinomial: x^2 + 9x - 36

Back

(x + 12)(x - 3)

Front

What does it mean if a trinomial is not factorable?

Back

It means that the trinomial cannot be expressed as a product of two binomials with rational coefficients.

Front

Factor the trinomial: 3a^2 + 4a + 1

Back

(3a + 1)(a + 1)