SOLUTION: Trying to help daughter with Algebra homework. Worksheet directions say "factor each quadratics, show work". Example problems include: m^2 - 7m + 6 m^2 + 6m M^2 - m I am co

Algebra ->  Expressions-with-variables -> SOLUTION: Trying to help daughter with Algebra homework. Worksheet directions say "factor each quadratics, show work". Example problems include: m^2 - 7m + 6 m^2 + 6m M^2 - m I am co      Log On


   

Question 444319: Trying to help daughter with Algebra homework. Worksheet directions say "factor each quadratics, show work". Example problems include:
m^2 - 7m + 6
m^2 + 6m
M^2 - m
I am completely lost....do we need to factor out or what? HELP!
Answer by htmentor(1343) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
To factor the expression means to find the terms, which when multiplied together, give you the original expression.
For example, the number 15 can be factored as 3*5.
(a) To factor m%5E2+-+7m+%2B+6 we first remember that it is obtained by using FOIL
on the two factors. So the two factors start with m. The last terms have to equal 6 when multiplied together,
but also add up to -7 to get the middle term of the quadratic right.
So the factorization is:
%28m+-+6%29%28m+-+1%29
Check using FOIL:
m%5E2+-+m+-+6m+%2B+6+-%3E+m%5E2+-+7m+%2B+6
(b) In this case there is a common factor m which can be factored out:
m%5E2+%2B+6m+-%3E+m%28m%2B6%29
(c) Again, we have a common factor m:
m%5E2+-+m+-%3E+m%28m-1%29