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 $6×(-4)=-24$

Step2: Find two factors of -24

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

Step3: Split middle term

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

Step4: Factor by grouping

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

Answer:

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