SOLUTION: factor completly a^2-11a+18

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Question 68893: factor completly
a^2-11a+18
Found 2 solutions by stanbon, rmromero:
Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
factor completly
a^2-11a+18
=(a-9)(a-2)

Answer by rmromero(383) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
factor completly
a^2-11a+18
Factors of a     Factors of -18     Possible               Sum of outer 
                                 Binomial Factors      and inner products

   a, a          -18,-1           (a - 18)(a - 1)           -19a
                  18, 1           (a + 18)(a + 1)            19a 
                  -9,-2           (a - 9)(a - 2)            -11a  Correct middle term
                   9, 2           (a + 9)(a + 2)             11a
                  -6,-3           (a - 6)(a - 3)             -9a 
                   6, 3           (a + 6)(a + 3)              9a

Therefore the factor of a^2 - 11a + 18 is

(a - 9)(a - 2)