Question

How do you write `x^2+13x+12` in factored form?

Answer 1

`(x+1)(x+12)`

Answer 2

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

Because the `x^2` coefficient is `1` we know the coefficient for the `x` terms in the factor will also be `1`:

`(x )(x )`

Because the constant is a positive and the coefficient for the `x` term is a positive we know the sign for the constants in the factors will both be positive because a positive plus a positive is a positive and a positive times a positive is a positive:

`(x + )(x + )`

Now we need to determine the factors which multiply to 12 and also add to 13:

`1 xx 12 = 12`; `1 + 12 = 13` <- this IS the factor

`(x + 1)(x + 12)`