Question

10x² + 17x + 3
what is the first step to factoring the given trinomial using the ac - method?
a. multiply the leading coefficient and the constant.
b. factor by grouping.
c. factor out a common factor, if any
d. try to factor the product of the leading coefficient and the constant so that the sum of the factors is the coefficient of the middle term.
is there a common factor other than 1 and - 1 to factor out? select the correct choice below and, if necessary, fill in the answer box within your choice
a. yes, the factor
can be factored out of each term
b. no, there is no factor other than 1 and - 1 that can be factored out of each term.

Explanation:

For the first question, the ac-method starts by checking for a common factor to factor out first. For the second question, we check the greatest common factor of 10, 17, and 3: the factors of 10 are 1,2,5,10; factors of 17 are 1,17; factors of 3 are 1,3. The only common factors are 1 and -1.

Answer:

1. C. Factor out a common factor, if any
2. B. No, there is no factor other than 1 and -1 that can be factored out of each term.