SOLUTION: factor 5a^2-7ab-6b^2

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Question 1130128: factor
5a^2-7ab-6b^2

Found 2 solutions by Alan3354, ikleyn:
Answer by Alan3354(69443)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
factor
5a^2-7ab-6b^2
-------------
We learn how to factor by factoring.
Having someone do it for you does not help.

Answer by ikleyn(52817)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.
Consider an equation

5a^2 - 7ab - 6b^2 = 0.       (1)



Divide both sides by b. You will get the equation

 = 0.



Introduce new variable  x = .  Then the last equation takes the form

5x^2 - 7x - 6 = 0.    (2)



Find its roots using the quadratic formula

 =  =  = .


So, the roots are   =   and  2.



It means that the polynomial (2) can be factored in this way

5x^2 - 7x - 6  = 5*(x-2)*(x+3/5) = (x-2)*(5x+3).



Returning to variables "a" and "b", you get

5a^2 - 7ab - 6b^2 = (a-2b)*(5a+3b).       ANSWER


Solved.


The lesson to learn from the solution is THIS :

    If you have difficulties factoring such a quadratic polynomial of 2 variables 
        (in other words, if you do not see the factoring formula immediately before your eyes in your mind)
     do the following (as I did in my solution)


        - reduce your quadratic polynomial of two variable to the quadratic polynomial of one new variable;

        - then find the roots of the reduced quadratic polynomial using the quadratic formula;

        - then factor the reduced quadratic polynomial using its roots;

        - then return back to the original variables "a" and "b".


This method works ALWAYS like an army tank.


It means that  if the factoring formula does exist over rational (or integer) numbers,

                        then the method provides / (guarantees) you will find the formula.



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