Algebra.Com's Answer #434956 by jsmallt9(3758)![\"\"](\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\")  
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The technique we will use to factor  can be described as \"un-FOIL-ing\". FOIL is used to multiply expressions like (a+b)(c+d). Since factoring is, in effect, \"un-multiplying\" an expression we can use the reverse of FOIL to turn into an expression of the form (a+b)(c+d).
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document.write( "If we have done enough FOIL-ing we know that when (a+b)(c+d) results in a trinomial, like , then:- The first term of the trinomial,
 , usually comes from the \"F\" part of FOIL (which would be a*c). For there is really only one possible \"a\" and \"c\": 2x and x. - The third term of the trinomial,
 , usually comes from the \"L\" part of FOIL (which would be c*d). For we could have two different c/d pairs: -3y and y or 3y and -y. - The middle term of the trinomial, -5xy, usually comes from the sum of the \"O\" and \"I\" parts of FOIL (which would be a*d + b*c).
Now we just try the different possible values for a, b, c and d to see if any of them will create the proper middle term. (If none do then the trinomial will not factor.) As it turns out, there is a combination that works:
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document.write( "a = 2x, b = y, c = x and d = -3y
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document.write( "So factors into:
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document.write( "(2x + y)(x + (-3y))
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document.write( "or, more simply:
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document.write( "(2x + y)(x - 3y)
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document.write( "To check this, just use FOIL! \n" );
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