SOLUTION: I was wonder if you could tell me of an easy way to factor or simplify certain numbers. I have a hard time finding a factor for equaations like y squared- 2y+3. I have a hard time

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: I was wonder if you could tell me of an easy way to factor or simplify certain numbers. I have a hard time finding a factor for equaations like y squared- 2y+3. I have a hard time       Log On


   

Question 982903: I was wonder if you could tell me of an easy way to factor or simplify certain numbers. I have a hard time finding a factor for equaations like y squared- 2y+3. I have a hard time because of the negative and positive numbers.
Answer by josgarithmetic(39625) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Negative numbers are just how to extend measures to the left of zero on a number line; instead of having only numbers that increase to the right on zero on the number line. The properties of ADDING and MULTIPLYING are the same for all numbers on the number line.

y%5E2-2y%2B3=%28y%2Br%29%28y%2Bs%29

What are r and s?

%28y%2Br%29%28y%2Bs%29
y%5E2%2Bry%2Bsy%2Brs
y%5E2%2B%28r%2Bs%29y%2Brs

Work backward from your trinomial expression to find the numbers r and s which work.
ANSWER: highlight%28%28y%2B1%29%28y-3%29%29