SOLUTION: Use the ac test to determine which of the following trinomials can be factored. Find the values of m and n for each trinomial that can be factored.
x^2+2x-15
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x^2+2x-15
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Question 83588: Use the ac test to determine which of the following trinomials can be factored. Find the values of m and n for each trinomial that can be factored.
x^2+2x-15 Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! In order to factor , first we need to ask ourselves: What two numbers multiply to -15 and add to 2? Lets find out by listing all of the possible factors of -15
Factors:
1,3,5,15,
-1,-3,-5,-15,List the negative factors as well. This will allow us to find all possible combinations
These factors pair up to multiply to -15.
(-1)*(15)=-15
(-3)*(5)=-15
Now which of these pairs add to 2? Lets make a table of all of the pairs of factors we multiplied and see which two numbers add to 2
First Number
|
Second Number
|
Sum
1
|
-15
|
|
1+(-15)=-14
3
|
-5
|
|
3+(-5)=-2
-1
|
15
|
|
(-1)+15=14
-3
|
5
|
|
(-3)+5=2
We can see from the table that -3 and 5 add to 2.So the two numbers that multiply to -15 and add to 2 are: -3 and 5
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