How to factor #a^2 - 12ab + 32b^2#?

How to factor?
#a^2-12ab+32b^2#

I've tried using the X-method to do this but I'm confused with how my answer is supposed to look because there are a lot of variables.

1 Answer
Nghi N
Sep 10, 2017

(a - 4b)(a - 8b)

Explanation:

#f(a) = a^2 - 12ba + 32b^2#
Factor this quadratic function, considering a as variable.
Find 2 quantities knowing the sum (- 12b) and the product
(#32b^2#). They are the 2 quantities (- 4b) and (- 8b) -->
because: their sum = (- 12b) and their product = #(32b^2)#.
Factored form:
#f(a) = (a - 4b)(a - 8b)#

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