SOLUTION: Will someone please help me solve this problem> factor completly:5x^2+2x-16

Algebra.Com
Question 110333: Will someone please help me solve this problem> factor completly:5x^2+2x-16
Found 2 solutions by scott8148, jim_thompson5910:
Answer by scott8148(6628)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
(5x-8)(x+2)
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Solved by pluggable solver: Factoring using the AC method (Factor by Grouping)


Looking at the expression , we can see that the first coefficient is , the second coefficient is , and the last term is .



Now multiply the first coefficient by the last term to get .



Now the question is: what two whole numbers multiply to (the previous product) and add to the second coefficient ?



To find these two numbers, we need to list all of the factors of (the previous product).



Factors of :

1,2,4,5,8,10,16,20,40,80

-1,-2,-4,-5,-8,-10,-16,-20,-40,-80



Note: list the negative of each factor. This will allow us to find all possible combinations.



These factors pair up and multiply to .

1*(-80) = -80
2*(-40) = -80
4*(-20) = -80
5*(-16) = -80
8*(-10) = -80
(-1)*(80) = -80
(-2)*(40) = -80
(-4)*(20) = -80
(-5)*(16) = -80
(-8)*(10) = -80


Now let's add up each pair of factors to see if one pair adds to the middle coefficient :



First NumberSecond NumberSum
1-801+(-80)=-79
2-402+(-40)=-38
4-204+(-20)=-16
5-165+(-16)=-11
8-108+(-10)=-2
-180-1+80=79
-240-2+40=38
-420-4+20=16
-516-5+16=11
-810-8+10=2




From the table, we can see that the two numbers and add to (the middle coefficient).



So the two numbers and both multiply to and add to



Now replace the middle term with . Remember, and add to . So this shows us that .



Replace the second term with .



Group the terms into two pairs.



Factor out the GCF from the first group.



Factor out from the second group. The goal of this step is to make the terms in the second parenthesis equal to the terms in the first parenthesis.



Combine like terms. Or factor out the common term



===============================================================



Answer:



So factors to .



In other words, .



Note: you can check the answer by expanding to get or by graphing the original expression and the answer (the two graphs should be identical).


RELATED QUESTIONS

Please help me solve this problem. factor... (answered by scott8148,jim_thompson5910)
can you please help me solve this: factor {{{ 9x^2-64 }}}... (answered by solver91311,nerdybill,stanbon)
Will someone please help me solve this problem? It says... (answered by jim_thompson5910)
Please help me factor this completly. {{{-5x^5-50x^4-200x^3-400x^2-400x-160}}} Thank... (answered by Onmyoji.S)
please help factor completly... (answered by mystic1306)
Can someone please help me with this problem: Solve the equation for x. a^2x - 5x + (answered by jim_thompson5910)
Will someone please help me solve this problem? The problem states to multiply or divide... (answered by MathLover1)
Will someone please help me solve this problem? The greatest common factor fothe two... (answered by Fombitz)
Hi, can someone help me with this problem? Solve for x and y: 2x + 3y = 1 (answered by nabla)