How do you factor by grouping #3n^2 - 8n + 4#?

1 Answer
George C.
May 17, 2015

#3n^2-8n+4#

#= 3n^2 - 2n - 6n + 4#

#= (3n^2-2n) - (6n-4)#

#= n(3n-2) - 2(3n-2)#

#= (n-2)(3n-2)#

The 'trick' was to split the original #-8n# term into two parts such that the resulting ratio of the first and second terms #3n^2# and #-2n# was the same as the ratio of the third and fourth terms #-6n# and #4#.

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