How do you factor the trinomial 2x^2 + 17x - 9?

1 Answer
Apr 22, 2016

(2x - 1)(x + 9)

Explanation:

Use the new AC Method (Socratic Search).
y = 2x^2 + 17x - 9 = 2(x + p)(x + q)
Converted trinomial y' = x^2 + 17x - 18 = (x + p')(x + q').
Since a + b + c = 0, use shortcut. p' = -1 and q' = 18.
Back toy, p = (p')/a = -1/2and q = (q')/a = 18/2 = 9.
Factored form:
y = 2(x - 1/2)(x + 9) = (2x - 1)(x + 9)