document.write( "Question 57396: factoring trinomials by trial and error
\n" ); document.write( "x^2-8x+12
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Algebra.Com's Answer #39136 by funmath(2933)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
factoring trinomials by trial and error
\n" ); document.write( "x^2-8x+12
\n" ); document.write( "The factors that make x^2 are:
\n" ); document.write( "x*x
\n" ); document.write( "That is the first term of each parenthesis:
\n" ); document.write( "12 is p0sitive so the factors have the same sign, because they add to get -8 they both are negative:
\n" ); document.write( "-1*-12, -2*-6,-3*-4
\n" ); document.write( "You try the possible answers until you find the one that works:
\n" ); document.write( "(x-1)(x-12)=x^2-12x-x+12=x^2-13x+12 ERROR
\n" ); document.write( "(x-2)(x-6)=x^2-6x-2x+12=x^2-8x+12 Correct, this is the one!!!
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\n" ); document.write( "To facilitate the process, when there is no number in front of x^2, ask yourself, what two numbers multiply to give me +12, but add to give me -8? It's easier to come up with the right factors that way:
\n" ); document.write( "-2*-6=12 and -2+-6=-8
\n" ); document.write( "x^2-8x+12=(x-2)(x-6)
\n" ); document.write( "You don't have to deal with ther ERRORs this way.
\n" ); document.write( "Happy Calculating!!!
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