Question

How do you factor `y= x^2 +6x+8` ?

Answer 1

y = (x+4)(x+2)

Explanation:

Okay so to explain this I need to assess 4 and 2 with a letter; m and n. (4=m and 2=n)

M and n both need to fit in the factorized y=(x + m)(x + n).

Also keep in mind the 2nd degree formula y= ax^2 + bx + c

Okay so if b = m + n
And ac = mn,

Then b (being 6) can be equal to 4 + 2 (m+n), while ac (being 8 because 8 X 1 = 8) can be 4 X 2 (mn), then we have found m and n, which are constant variables (they don't change; meaning you have to find the value of m and n).

So, you can fit them into y= (x+m)(x+n)

Which is y= (x+4)(x+2). And that is the factorized y= x^2 + 6x + 8.