document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=723907>Question 723907</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Factor the polynomial using the grouping number method.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "3a^2-11a+8<BR>\n" );
document.write( "^ meaning its an exponent<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Thank you for answering! </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #443458 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=Alan3354><B>Alan3354(69443)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=Alan3354><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=Alan3354><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=443458\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Factor the polynomial using the grouping number method.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "3a^2-11a+8<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The only pair of factors for 3 is 1*3<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "= (3a + m)*(a + n)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "The product of m*n = +8, so they have the same sign.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "The a term is negative, so m & n are negative.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "The a term is odd, -11, so either m or n is an odd number.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Try the pairs of factors of 8<BR>\n" );
document.write( "There are 2, 1*8 and 2*4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2*4 won't work because they're both even numbers.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "--> m = -1 & n = -8 or vice versa.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "= (3a + m)*(a + n)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "= = (3a - 8)*(a - 1)<BR>\n" );
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