SOLUTION: If y=ax2+bx+c, which number represents the sum of the factors and which one represent the product?

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Question 773209: If y=ax2+bx+c, which number represents the sum of the factors and which one represent the product?
Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Are you asking the wrong question by one word? Are you really wanting to know the sum of the ROOTS and the product of the roots?

You cannot FACTOR the general form ax%5E2%2Bbx%2Bc until you have VALUES for a, b, and c, which make the trinomial into a square trinomial. On the other hand, if "factors" is not what you really mean, you can complete the square on the general trinomial or go directly to solution to a quadratic equation and use the roots to find their sum and their product.

Roots from general form would be:
x=%28-b%2B-sqrt%28b%5E2-4ac%29%29%2F%282a%29
So do what you need with the two roots.

The sum will eliminate the radical in the process.
The product will have the benefit of difference of two squares.