Question

How do you factor `c^2 + 7c +12`?

Answer 1

`c^2+7c+12=(c+4)(c+3)`

Explanation:

To factorize `ax^2+bx+c`, one should split `b` in two parts whose product is `ac`. In `c^2+7c+12`, one needs to split `7` in two parts whose product is `1×12=12`. Such numbers are `3` and `4`.

Hence, `c^2+7c+12`

= `c^2+3c+4c+12`

= `c(c+3)+4(c+3)`

= `(c+4)(c+3)`