SOLUTION: Factor to make 2 binomials 2x^2 + 5xy

SOLUTION: Factor to make 2 binomials 2x^2 + 5xy - 2y^2

Question 143850: Factor to make 2 binomials
2x^2 + 5xy - 2y^2
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Looking at we can see that the first term is and the last term is where the coefficients are 2 and -2 respectively.

Now multiply the first coefficient 2 and the last coefficient -2 to get -4. Now what two numbers multiply to -4 and add to the middle coefficient 5? Let's list all of the factors of -4:

Factors of -4:
1,2,4

-1,-2,-4 ...List the negative factors as well. This will allow us to find all possible combinations

These factors pair up and multiply to -4
(1)*(-4)
-2*2
(-1)*(4)

note: remember, the product of a negative and a positive number is a negative number

Now which of these pairs add to 5? Lets make a table of all of the pairs of factors we multiplied and see which two numbers add to 5

First Number	Second Number	Sum
1	-4	1+(-4)=-3
-2	2	-2+(2)=0
-1	4	-1+4=3

None of these pairs of factors add to 5. So the expression cannot be factored

Double check your book/worksheet to make sure that you have the correct problem.
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