document.write( "Question 155388This question is from textbook
\n" ); document.write( ": How do you factor x^2-16x+51 \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #114426 by Earlsdon(6294) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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Remember, not every trinomial is factorable. If not factorable, they are called \"prime\".
\n" ); document.write( "Factor:
\n" ); document.write( " $\"x%5E2-16x%2B51\"$ Look at the constant term, 51, its factors are 3 and 17.
\n" ); document.write( "Now, can you ever get the middle coefficient of -16 by adding or subtracting 3 and 17?
\n" ); document.write( "3+17 = 20
\n" ); document.write( "-3+(-17) = -20
\n" ); document.write( "3-17 = -14
\n" ); document.write( "-3-(-17) = 14
\n" ); document.write( "The answer is no!
\n" ); document.write( "So the trinomial is, therefore, prime! \n" ); document.write( "

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