SOLUTION: How should I factor this? 2X^2-20X+57

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Question 722541: How should I factor this?
2X^2-20X+57

Answer by fcabanski(1391) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Quadratic equations are of the form ax^2 + bx + c where a, b and c are integers.


57 has only four factors: 1 and 57, 19 and 3, and you can see there is no combination that would allow you to easily factor into (2x + d)(x + c). Another way to check is to look at the discriminant = D = b^2 - 4ac. If the discriminant is negative then the equation has no real roots, and two non-real, complex roots.


In this equation a=2, b=-20 and c=57. The discriminant is %28-20%29%5E2+-+4%2A2%2A57+=+400+-+456+=+-56.


Find the solutions/roots using the quadratic formula = %28-b+%2B+or+-+D%29%2F2a



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