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| Question 253136:  How do you factor 3x squared + 31x + 36
 Found 2 solutions by  Alan3354, Greenfinch:
 Answer by Alan3354(69443)
      (Show Source): 
You can put this solution on YOUR website! 3x squared + 31x + 36 ------------------
 The 1st terms are 1 and 3.
 There are no minus signs, so it's
 (3x + a)*(x + b)
 a and b can be:
 1 and 36 (this won't work, 36 is too much, >31)
 2 and 18
 3 and 12
 4 and 9
 6 and 6
 Either a or b has to be an odd number, they can't both be even since 31 is odd.
 That leaves:
 3 and 12
 4 and 9
 --> (3x + 4)*(x + 9)
 
Answer by Greenfinch(383)
      (Show Source): 
You can put this solution on YOUR website! Factors of 3 are 3 and 1 Factors of 36 are 1,36: 2,18: 3,12: 4,9: 6,6
 We need a way to get these to add to 31. The obvious try is 3 x 9 and 4 x 1
 So the factors are (3x + 9)(x + 4)= 0
 Therefore x = -3 or -4
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