Factoring Trinomials (a <> 1)

                     Lesson 1

Problem:                   Factor:  3x² - 19x +20

Step 1: The first term must be 2x to get the leading term as 2x², (2x) (x)

All possible factors of last term 20

Solution Perform the operation on each of these pairs to yield the middle term.

             Step 2:                       

-15 - 4 = - 19

Solution The trinomial will be 3x² - 15x – 4x + 20.

                                                             Step 3:    

= 3x (x - 5) – 4 (x - 5)

                                                                                = (3x – 4) (x - 5)

 Solution                     The answer is:  (3x – 4) (x - 5)

 Step 4:                                                                      

 Complete   

                                                            Try two practice problems:  

Factor the following:

A.	2x^2- 9x + 9
B.	4x^2- 36

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