Questions on Algebra: Polynomials, rational expressions and equations answered by real tutors!

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Question 152320: Factor:

9x^2 - 21x + 10
: Factor:

9x^2 - 21x + 10

Answer by jim_thompson5910(9376) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Looking at the expression 9x^2-21x+10, we can see that the first coefficient is 9, the second coefficient is -21, and the last term is 10.


Now multiply the first coefficient 9 by the last term 10 to get (9)(10)=90.


Now the question is: what two whole numbers multiply to 90 (the previous product) and add to the second coefficient -21?


To find these two numbers, we need to list all of the factors of 90 (the previous product).


Factors of 90:
1,2,3,5,6,9,10,15,18,30,45,90
-1,-2,-3,-5,-6,-9,-10,-15,-18,-30,-45,-90


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


These factors pair up and multiply to 90.
1*90
2*45
3*30
5*18
6*15
9*10
(-1)*(-90)
(-2)*(-45)
(-3)*(-30)
(-5)*(-18)
(-6)*(-15)
(-9)*(-10)

Now let's add up each pair of factors to see if one pair adds to the middle coefficient -21:


First NumberSecond NumberSum
1901+90=91
2452+45=47
3303+30=33
5185+18=23
6156+15=21
9109+10=19
-1-90-1+(-90)=-91
-2-45-2+(-45)=-47
-3-30-3+(-30)=-33
-5-18-5+(-18)=-23
-6-15-6+(-15)=-21
-9-10-9+(-10)=-19



From the table, we can see that the two numbers -6 and -15 add to -21 (the middle coefficient).


So the two numbers -6 and -15 both multiply to 90 and add to -21


Now replace the middle term -21x with -6x-15x. Remember, -6 and -15 add to -21. So this shows us that -6x-15x=-21x.


9x^2+highlight(-6x-15x)+10 Replace the second term -21x with -6x-15x.


(9x^2-6x)+(-15x+10) Group the terms into two pairs.


3x(3x-2)+(-15x+10) Factor out the GCF 3x from the first group.


3x(3x-2)-5(3x-2) Factor out 5 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.


(3x-5)(3x-2) Combine like terms. Or factor out the common term 3x-2

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Answer:


So 9x^2-21x+10 factors to (3x-5)(3x-2).


Note: you can check the answer by FOILing (3x-5)(3x-2) to get 9x^2-21x+10 or by graphing the original expression and the answer (the two graphs should be identical).