How do you factor the trinomial #5x^2+ 6x + 1#?

1 Answer
Nov 27, 2015

#5x^2+6x+1=(5x+1)(x+1)#

Explanation:

#5x^2+6x+1# is a quadratic equation, #ax^2+bx+c#, where #a=5, b=6, and c=1#.

Use the AC method.

Multiply #a# times #c#.

#5xx1=5#

Determine which numbers when added equal #6# and when multiplied equal #5#. The numbers #1# and #5# meet the criteria.

Rewrite the trinomial with #5x# and #x# in place of #6x#.

#5x^2+5x+x+1#

Group the first two terms and the last two terms.

#(5x^2+5x)+(x+1)#

Factor out #5x# from the first group.

#5x(x+1)+1(x+1)# (I included the #1# in front of the parentheses so you can see where the final answer comes from.)

Factor out #(x+1)#.

#(5x+1)(x+1)#