Factor 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 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.

Front

What does it mean if the discriminant is positive?

Back

If the discriminant is positive, the trinomial can be factored into two real binomials.

Front

What does it mean if the discriminant is zero?

Back

If the discriminant is zero, the trinomial can be factored into a perfect square binomial.

Front

What does it mean if the discriminant is negative?

Back

If the discriminant is negative, the trinomial cannot be factored over the real numbers.

Front

How do you factor the trinomial 4n^2 - 17n - 15?

Back

The factored form is (n - 5)(4n + 3).