Question

How do you factor the expression `3x^2 - 7x + 2`?

Answer 1

(3x - 1)(x - 2)

Explanation:

Use the new AC Method (Socratic Search)
`y = 3x^2 - 7x + 2 =` 3(x + p)(x + q)
Converted trinomial: `y' = x^2 - 7x + 6.=` (x + p')(x + q')
Factor pairs of (ac = 6) --> (-1, -6). Then, p' = -1 and q' = -6.
Back to y --> `p = (-p')/a = -1/3` and `q = (q')/a = -6/3 = -2`
Factoring of y:
`y = 3(x - 1/3)(x - 2) = (3x - 1)(x - 2)`