Question

How do you factor `6b^2 - 11b - 2`?

Answer 1

(6b + 1)(b - 2)

Explanation:

Use the new AC Method (Socratic Search)
`y = 6b^2 - 11b - 2 =`6(b - p)(b - q).
Converted `y' = b^2 - 11b - 12 =` (b + p')(b + q').
Since a - b + c = 0, use shortcut. p' = 1 and q' = -12.
Back to y, `p = (p')/a = 1/6` and `q = (q')/a = -12/6 = -2.`
Factored form: `y = 6(b + 1/6)(b - 2) = (6b + 1)(b - 2)`