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-   -   Factoring in Advanced Functions Grade 12 (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=397377)

  • Sep 17, 2009, 05:35 PM
    laurashaver
    Factoring in Advanced Functions Grade 12
    How do you factor 4x²-10x+6?
  • Sep 18, 2009, 06:24 AM
    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.
  • Oct 29, 2009, 07:19 AM
    mrsu

    (x+y)^2-64
  • Oct 29, 2009, 07:20 AM
    mrsu
    how do I factor (x+y)^2-64
  • Oct 29, 2009, 08:09 AM
    Unknown008

    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. :)
  • Nov 18, 2009, 01:52 PM
    answers12
    (x+y-8)*(x+y+8) difference of squares

    let a=x+y & b=8

    a^2-b^2=(a-b)*(a+b)
  • Mar 3, 2010, 08:07 PM
    joynad
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by ebaines View Post
    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
  • Mar 3, 2010, 08:08 PM
    joynad

    x=1 or x=1.5

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