How do you factor?

m^2-11m+18=0

1 Answer
May 24, 2018

Factors are: (m2)(m9)=0
m=2
m=9

Explanation:

Trying to factor by splitting the middle term:

Step 1
Factoring m211m+18

The first term is, m2 its coefficient is 1 .
The middle term is, 11m its coefficient is 11 .
The last term, "the constant", is +18

Step 2
Find two factors of 18 whose sum equals the coefficient of the middle term, which is 11 .

18+(1)=19
#-9 + (-2) = -11 -----> This is the one

Step 3
Rewrite the polynomial splitting the middle term using the two factors found in step 2 above, -9 and -2
m29m2m+18

m(m9)2(m9) ------> pulling out the like factors

(m2).(m9)=0

m2=0 -------> m=2

m9=0 ------->. m=9