Factoring a>1 Trinomials

Front

What is a trinomial?

Back

A trinomial is a polynomial with three terms, typically in the form ax² + bx + c.

Front

What does it mean to factor a trinomial?

Back

Factoring a trinomial means rewriting it as a product of two binomials.

Front

What is the general form of factoring a trinomial when a > 1?

Back

The general form is ax² + 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 ax² + bx + c, 'a' is the coefficient of x², 'b' is the coefficient of x, and 'c' is the constant term.

Front

What is the first step in factoring a trinomial with a > 1?

Back

Multiply 'a' and 'c' to find the product that will help in finding two numbers that add to 'b'.

Front

What is the significance of the numbers found when factoring?

Back

The two numbers must add up to 'b' and multiply to 'a*c'.

Front

Factor the trinomial: n² + 5n - 6

Back

(n - 1)(n + 6)

Front

Factor the trinomial: 2x² - 7x - 15

Back

(x - 5)(2x + 3)

Front

Factor the trinomial: x² + 12x + 36

Back

(x + 6)(x + 6)

Front

What does it mean to factor completely?

Back

Factoring completely means breaking down the expression into its simplest factors.