document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=1005948>Question 1005948</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Is there a quick method you know to factor things out quickly? \r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "like x^2-4x-12\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "How do I know just from quickly looking at it what it's gonna be? I've seen other people do this like how to set up the signs and know wat goes where. I think there is an easy way to solve these problems that I don't know about. I have to make a lot of guesses and then foil everything out until I get it right.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Thanks </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #622094 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=622094\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Is there a quick method you know to factor things out quickly? \r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "like x^2-4x-12<BR>\n" );
document.write( "------------------<BR>\n" );
document.write( "It's trial and error.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(ax + b)*(cx + d) = x^2-4x-12<BR>\n" );
document.write( "There are things to notice, tho.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "The -12 --> b & d have different signs, one is + and one is negative.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "The -4x --> the negative term is larger.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-------------<BR>\n" );
document.write( "It's not too hard when the coefficient of the x^2 = 1.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a = c = 1<BR>\n" );
document.write( "---<BR>\n" );
document.write( "b*d = -12<BR>\n" );
document.write( "b + d = -4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "---<BR>\n" );
document.write( "You find a combo of b & d that work.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "There are not many pairs of integers with a product of 12.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Find the pair that differ by 4.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "1*12  NG<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2*6<BR>\n" );
document.write( "3*4  NG<BR>\n" );
document.write( " </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );