How do you factor #3n^2-8n+5#?

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Answer 1 · 2018-03-31T16:13:49

#(n-1)(3n-5)#

1.) write #-8n# as a sum or difference
#=>3n^2-3n-5n +5#

2.) factor out #3n# and #-5# from the expression:
#=>3n (n-1)-5(n-1)#

3.) factor out #(n-1)# from the expression
#=>(n-1)(3n-5)#

Answer 2 · 2018-03-31T16:23:24

#(3n - 5)(n - 1)#

#3n^2# only has two factors, #3n and n#

5 only has two factors , 5 and 1. These are both negative to multiply to +5 and add to make -8