Is it possible to factor #y= x^2 + 5x + 6 #? If so, what are the factors?

1 Answer
Mar 18, 2018

Yes;

Explanation:

Question

y = #x^2# + 5x + 6

Work

The factors of 6 are:
1 and 6
2 and 3
3 and 2
6 and 1
1 and -6
2 and -3
and so on...

Now, which one adds up to the "5x"? Or which one adds up to 5?

The only one that does is:
2 and 3.

So you put everything together:
(x + 2) ( x + 3)

Double-check

#(x + 2) ( x + 3)#

#x^2+ 2x + 3x + 6#

#x^2 + 5x + 6#

Hope this helps!! :)