SOLUTION: Factor the polynomial using the grouping number method. 3a^2-11a+8 ^ meaning its an exponent Thank you for answering!

Question 723907: Factor the polynomial using the grouping number method.
3a^2-11a+8
^ meaning its an exponent
Thank you for answering!
Answer by Alan3354(69443) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Factor the polynomial using the grouping number method.
3a^2-11a+8
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The only pair of factors for 3 is 1*3
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= (3a + m)*(a + n)
The product of m*n = +8, so they have the same sign.
The a term is negative, so m & n are negative.
The a term is odd, -11, so either m or n is an odd number.
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Try the pairs of factors of 8
There are 2, 1*8 and 2*4
2*4 won't work because they're both even numbers.
--> m = -1 & n = -8 or vice versa.
= (3a + m)*(a + n)
= = (3a - 8)*(a - 1)
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