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Author Topic: factoring a trinomial  (Read 2360 times)

Offline conrad96

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factoring a trinomial
« on: December 14, 2010, 11:30:37 AM »
ive been wrestling with this trinomial for about forty minutes now and i cant seem to get it

the trinomial is 5x^2 − 2x − 7

this is what ive tried to use for this trinomial

(5x-2)(x-1) i get really close with this one but instead of getting -7, you get -7x... any ideas?
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Offline MrMxyzptlk

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Re: factoring a trinomial
« Reply #1 on: December 14, 2010, 11:48:57 AM »

You're very close.  You're "2" is wrong.  Also check your sign on your second factor.

What gives you two MORE than five so that when you subtract "5x" from it you'll end up with "-2x"?

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Offline conrad96

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Re: factoring a trinomial
« Reply #2 on: December 14, 2010, 11:58:50 AM »
thanks MrMxyzptlk, i was copying the steps out of my book and they didnt add up right so, i switched signs and numbers back and forth for forty minutes without even thnking of seven... derp :P
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Offline MrMxyzptlk

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Re: factoring a trinomial
« Reply #3 on: December 14, 2010, 10:38:45 PM »


Glad I could help!

GL!

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