Question

How do you factor the trinomial `-144 = q ^2 - 26q`?

Answer 1

y = (x - 8)(x - 18)

Explanation:

I use the new AC Method to factor trinomials (Socratic Search).
`y = q^2 - 26q + 144 = (x + p)(x + q)`
p and q have same sign since ac > 0
Factor pairs of (c = 144) --> ... (6, 24)(8, 18). This sum is (8 + 18 = 26 = -b). Then, the opposite sum (-8, -18) give p = -8 and and q = -18.
Factored form: `y = (x - 8)(x - 18)`