Factor Trinomials

Front

What is a trinomial?

Back

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

Front

How do you factor a trinomial of the form x^2 + bx + c?

Back

To factor a trinomial of the form x^2 + bx + c, find two numbers that multiply to c and add to b. These numbers will be used to create the factors (x + m)(x + n).

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Back

(x + 3)(x + 4)

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Back

(x + 7)(x + 3)

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(x - 5)(x - 3)

Front

What is the first step in factoring a trinomial?

Back

Identify the coefficients a, b, and c in the trinomial ax^2 + bx + c.

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What does it mean to factor a polynomial?

Back

Factoring a polynomial means expressing it as a product of its factors, which are polynomials of lower degrees.

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(x - 8)(x + 3)

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What is the relationship between the roots of a trinomial and its factors?

Back

The roots of a trinomial are the values of x that make the trinomial equal to zero, and they correspond to the values that make each factor equal to zero.

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How can you check if your factors are correct?

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You can check if your factors are correct by multiplying them back together to see if you get the original trinomial.