How do you factor 3x^2+7x+2?

2 Answers
Jul 11, 2016

3x^2+7x+2=(x+2)(3x+1)

Explanation:

3x^2+7x+2=(x+2)(3x+1)

Jul 11, 2016

(3x+1)(x+2)

Explanation:

Both 3 and 2 are prime numbers, so there are not many options..

We need the factors of 3 and 2 which add together to make 7.
All the signsare positive.

3 = 3 xx1 and 2 = 2 xx 1
The only possible combinations are:

3xx1 + 1xx2 = 3+2 = 5 " wrong combination"
3xx2 +1xx1 = 6+1 = 7 " right combination"

Choose factors and cross multiply to get 7.

" 3 1" rArr 1xx1 = 1
" 1 2" rArr 3xx2 =6 6+1 = 7

The top row is the one bracket.
The bottom row is the other bracket.
(3x+1)(x+2)

Verify that these are correct by multiplying out the brackets.