Question

How do you factor the trinomial `2x^2-17x+8`?

Answer 1

(2x - 1)(x - 8)

Explanation:

I use the new AC Method (Socratic search)
y = 2(x - p)(x - q)
Converted trinomial: `y' = x^2 - 17x + 16 = ( x - p')(x - q')`
p' and q' have same sign. Factor pair of (16) --> (-1, -16). This sum is (-17) = b. Then p' = -1 and q' = -16.
Back to original trinomial:`p = (p')/a = -1/2` and q = (q')/a = -8
Factored form: y = 2(x - 1/2)(x - 8) = (2x - 1)(x - 8)