How do you factor the trinomial #a^2-14ab+24b^2 #?

1 Answer
Dec 10, 2015

Factor #y = a^2 - 14ab + 24b^2#

Ans: (a - 2b)(a - 12b)

Explanation:

#y = a^2 - 14ab + 24b^2.#
Find 2 numbers knowing sum (-14b) and product (24b^2). Factor pairs of (24b^2) --> (2b, 12b). This sum is 14b. Then the opposite sum gives 2 numbers: -2b and -12b.
Factored form: #y = (a - 2b)(a - 12b)#