document.write( "Question 444319: Trying to help daughter with Algebra homework. Worksheet directions say \"factor each quadratics, show work\". Example problems include:\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "m^2 - 7m + 6
\n" ); document.write( "m^2 + 6m
\n" ); document.write( "M^2 - m\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "I am completely lost....do we need to factor out or what? HELP! \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #306331 by htmentor(1343) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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To factor the expression means to find the terms, which when multiplied together, give you the original expression.
\n" ); document.write( "For example, the number 15 can be factored as 3*5.
\n" ); document.write( "(a) To factor $\"m%5E2+-+7m+%2B+6\"$ we first remember that it is obtained by using FOIL
\n" ); document.write( "on the two factors. So the two factors start with $\"m\"$ . The last terms have to equal 6 when multiplied together,
\n" ); document.write( "but also add up to -7 to get the middle term of the quadratic right.
\n" ); document.write( "So the factorization is:
\n" ); document.write( " $\"%28m+-+6%29%28m+-+1%29\"$
\n" ); document.write( "Check using FOIL:
\n" ); document.write( " $\"m%5E2+-+m+-+6m+%2B+6+-%3E+m%5E2+-+7m+%2B+6\"$
\n" ); document.write( "(b) In this case there is a common factor $\"m\"$ which can be factored out:
\n" ); document.write( " $\"m%5E2+%2B+6m+-%3E+m%28m%2B6%29\"$
\n" ); document.write( "(c) Again, we have a common factor m:
\n" ); document.write( " $\"m%5E2+-+m+-%3E+m%28m-1%29\"$ \n" ); document.write( "

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