How do you factor #2n^2 - 7n + 3#?

1 Answer
Roella W.
May 18, 2016

#(2x-1)(x-3)#

Explanation:

The general equation that factors as #(ax+b)(cx+d)# multiplies out to be #acx^2+(ad+bc)x+bd#. This shows that the coefficient of the middle term is made up from factors of the coefficients of the outer terms.

Thus is this case we need factors of #2# and #(-3)# that will add (or subtract) to give #-7#.

The only possible factors are #2# and #1#, and #3# and #1#.

The result is therefore #(2x-1)(x-3)#

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