SOLUTION: Factor: x^2-12x+32

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Question 371283: Factor:
x^2-12x+32
Found 2 solutions by Alan3354, ewatrrr:
Answer by Alan3354(69443) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Hint: 32 = 4*8

Answer by ewatrrr(24785) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


Hi,

factoring the following trinomial: 

x^2-12x+32

factoring will result in 2 products:

(x - ?)(x - )  Asking ourselves what 2 numbers have a product of 32 and sum of 12? 

We NEED the 'sum of the inner and outer products' to match that middle term -12x.

(x - 8)(x - 4) Using 4 and 8 works as: 

SUM of the outer product(-4x)  and the inner product(-8x) = -12x