Question

factor trinomials (a>1) level 3
score: 0/20 penalty: 0.25 off
question
factor completely.
$6x^2 - 5x - 4$

Explanation:

Step1: Find product of $a$ and $c$

$a=6$, $c=-4$, so $6\times(-4)=-24$

Step2: Find two numbers for $-24$

Numbers: $3$ and $-8$ (since $3+(-8)=-5$)

Step3: Split middle term

$6x^2 + 3x - 8x - 4$

Step4: Factor by grouping

$3x(2x + 1) - 4(2x + 1)$

Step5: Factor out common binomial

$(2x + 1)(3x - 4)$

Answer:

$(2x + 1)(3x - 4)$