SOLUTION: Find the value(s) of {{{k}}} for which {{{k+5x+x^2}}} can be factored.

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Question 278999: Find the value(s) of for which can be factored.

Answer by Edwin McCravy(20063)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Find the value(s) of for which can be factored.
Write it in descending order:



Suppose it factors as



Then we can choose a and b as any two integers which
add to 5.

We can choose a=1, b=4, or a=2, b=3 

With the first choice,

 becomes



which when FOILed out becomes

, so if k=4 then  can be factored

With the second choice,

 becomes



which when FOILed out becomes

, so if k=6 then  can be factored

So the answer is:  If k = 4 or 6, then  can

be factored.  Otherwise it can't.

Edwin

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