SOLUTION: how do you factor a polynomial of the form ax2 + bx + c when a is not equal to 1.

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Question 166812: how do you factor a polynomial of the form ax2 + bx + c when a is not equal to 1.
Answer by MRperkins(300) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
how do you factor say x%5E2%2B5x%2B15=12
All you have to do is subtract 12 from each side and you get x%5E2%2B5x%2B3=0
Now you can use the quadratic equation to solve.
x+=+%28-b+%2B-+sqrt%28+b%5E2-4%2Aa%2Ac+%29%29%2F%282%2Aa%29+
such that ax%5E2%2Bbx%2Bc=0
Remember that this formula is = to 0 instead of 1.