SOLUTION: I am having trouble factoring the following equation: 2a^2-9a+3

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Question 848184: I am having trouble factoring the following equation: 2a^2-9a+3
Answer by richwmiller(17219)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
It isn't an equation. Do you see an equal sign?
It is a polynomial expression.
It can't be factored.
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 :

1,2,3,6

-1,-2,-3,-6



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



These factors pair up and multiply to .

1*6 = 6
2*3 = 6
(-1)*(-6) = 6
(-2)*(-3) = 6


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



First NumberSecond NumberSum
161+6=7
232+3=5
-1-6-1+(-6)=-7
-2-3-2+(-3)=-5




From the table, we can see that there are no pairs of numbers which add to . So cannot be factored.



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





Answer:



So doesn't factor at all (over the rational numbers).



So is prime.
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