SOLUTION: Factor completely: b^2 - ab - 6a^2 Would the answer be: (b-6a)(b+a)?? Thank you

Algebra ->  Distributive-associative-commutative-properties -> SOLUTION: Factor completely: b^2 - ab - 6a^2 Would the answer be: (b-6a)(b+a)?? Thank you      Log On


   

Question 70364: Factor completely:
b^2 - ab - 6a^2
Would the answer be:
(b-6a)(b+a)?? Thank you
Answer by funmath(2933) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Factor completely:
b^2 - ab - 6a^2
(b___a)(b___a)
You need to fill the blanks with two inegers that multiply to give you the last term, -6, but add together to give you the middle coefficient, -1.\
2*(-3)=-6 and 2+(-3)=-1
highlight%28%28b%2B2a%29%28b-3a%29%29
To check your answer FOIL it back out to see if you get what you started out with:
(b+2a)(b-3a)
b(b-3a)+2a(b-3a)
b(b)+b(-3a)+2a(b)+2a(-3a)
b^2-3ab+2ab-6a^2
b^2-ab-6a^2 We're right!!!
Happy Calculating!!!!