SOLUTION: Factor each expression. 8x^2 - 50 Please help!

Algebra ->  Absolute-value -> SOLUTION: Factor each expression. 8x^2 - 50 Please help!      Log On


   



Question 339089: Factor each expression.
8x^2 - 50
Please help!

Answer by Earlsdon(6294) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Factor:
8x%5E2-50
The facors of 8 are:
1X8 = 8
2X4 = 8
The factors of 50 are:
1X50 = 50
2X25 = 50
5X10 = 50
2X5X5 = 50 Discard this as you need only two factors.
Notice that there is no middle term in the given expression so in the two factors of the form:
%28ax%2Bb%29%2A%28cx%2Bd%29 you must have a*d = b*c in order for the middle term to drop out.
so you would choose:
a = 4 and d = 5
b = 2 and c = -10 so you get...
%284x-10%29%282x%2B5%29 and when you FOIL these...
highlight%28%284x-10%29%282x%2B5%29%29+=+8x%5E2%2B20x-20x-50 = 8x%5E2-50