How do you solve 2x^2-5x-3 by factoring?

1 Answer
Apr 3, 2018

(x-3)(2x+1)

Explanation:

2x3=6 so then you must find two numbers (a negative and a positive since there are two negatives in the original problem) that will add up to 5 and multiply to 6.

The numbers are then -6 and +1 which gives you:

2x^2+1x-6x-3

Split down the middle and factor out an x and a -3

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

Take the leading coefficients and you'll finish with

(x-3)(2x+1)

Hope this helps!