Question 207787: I am having trouble factoring trianomials without a book. can you please help me? here is my problem.
z^2+289-34z
Answer by rapaljer(4671)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! The first step is to write it in descending order:
z^2 -34z + 289
It starts out
(Z____)(Z____).
Next, look at the last term. You need to find two numbers whose product is +289, that will add to give you the middle term which is -34z. This would be 17 times 17. Because the last term is positive, the signs must be the same, but in order for this to add up to -34z, you need to use -17 times -17.
(z-17)(z-17)
(z-17)^2
For additional help with this type of problem, please see my own website by clicking on my tutor name anywhere in algebra.com. Look for the link on my homepage "Basic, Intermediate, and College Algebra: One Step at a Time." Select "Basic Algebra", Chapter 2, and look for "Factoring Trinomials" and also "Difference of Squares and Perfect Square Trinomials". See also my page called "MATH IN LIVING COLOR", again, Basic Algebra, Chapter 2. There I have a lot of problems like this solved in "Living Color".
R^2
Dr. Robert J. Rapalje
Seminole State College
Altamonte Springs Campus
Florida
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