How do you factor 4x²-10x+6?

It will require a little perseverance:

1. Since the middle term is minus and the last term is positive, this means that the two factors must be of the form (ax-b)*(cx-d); that is, there's a minus sign in each. Do you see why?

2. The middle term, -10, comes from ad+bc. So now the trick is to look at the possible values for a, b, c, and d that satisfy this. First, 4=ac, so a and c can be either 4 and 1 (in either order) or 2 and 2. Second, 6=bd, so b and d can be either 6 and 1 or 2 and 3 (in either order). So now it's a matter of trying all these combinations and finding one that works. There is one, so keep at it! Post back if you're still having trouble.

(x+y)^2-64

how do I factor (x+y)^2-64

You should have started another thread, mrsu...

Ok, look at it carefully, you have the difference of two perfect squares, right?

Well you should know that

Use that to solve your problem. :)

(x+y-8)*(x+y+8) difference of squares

let a=x+y & b=8

a^2-b^2=(a-b)*(a+b)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ebaines

It will require a little perseverance:

1. Since the middle term is minus and the last term is positive, this means that the two factors must be of the form (ax-b)*(cx-d); that is, there's a minus sign in each. Do you see why?

2. The middle term, -10, comes from ad+bc. So now the trick is to look at the possible values for a, b, c, and d that satisfy this. First, 4=ac, so a and c can be either 4 and 1 (in either order) or 2 and 2. Second, 6=bd, so b and d can be either 6 and 1 or 2 and 3 (in either order). So now it's a matter of trying all these combinations and finding one that works. There is one, so keep at it! Post back if you're still having trouble.

---

x=1 or x-1.5

x=1 or x=1.5