document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=84487>Question 84487</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Factor completely.    b^2 – ab – 6a^2<BR>\n" );
document.write( " I got (b – 3a)(b + 2a)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Did I just maybe get it right? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #60843 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=bucky><B>bucky(2189)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=bucky><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/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=60843\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Yes, you got it correct.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "You can always check your answer by multiplying the two factors you got using the FOIL method.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "FOIL stands for Firsts ... Outsides ... Insides ... Lasts and it applies to the arrangement<BR>\n" );
document.write( "of the terms in your answer.  Your answer was:<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "(b – 3a)(b + 2a)<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The two \"Firsts\" in each set of parentheses are both b.  Multiplying them together gives you<BR>\n" );
document.write( "b*b which is b^2.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The two \"Outsides\" in this string are ... b from the first factor and +2a from the second<BR>\n" );
document.write( "factor.  Multiplying b times +2a results in +2ab.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The two \"Insides\" are -3a from the first factor and b from the second factor. Multiplying<BR>\n" );
document.write( "these two gives you -3ab.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "And finally, the two \"Lasts\" are -3a from the first set of parentheses and +2a from the<BR>\n" );
document.write( "second set. Multiplying -3a times +2a results in -6a^2.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Now add your four answers from the FOIL process:<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "b^2 + 2ab - 3ab - 6a^2<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The two middle terms (both containing ab) combine to give you -ab. Substitute this result<BR>\n" );
document.write( "in place of +2ab - 3ab and your product becomes:<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "b^2 - ab - 6a^2<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "This is the same as the trinomial you were asked to factor.  Therefore, you have factored<BR>\n" );
document.write( "it correctly.  Had your FOIL multiplication given you a different answer you might have<BR>\n" );
document.write( "expected that your factors were wrong (or you made a mistake in the FOIL multiplication).<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Hope this helps you to build confidence in what you are doing.  Keep up the good work!<BR>\n" );
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