SOLUTION: I do not remember the steps to FACTOR this epression. Please Help: 3y^2+13y+4 My problem is I do not remeber how to seperate the "y" and the "3" Thank you

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: I do not remember the steps to FACTOR this epression. Please Help: 3y^2+13y+4 My problem is I do not remeber how to seperate the "y" and the "3" Thank you      Log On


   

Question 477462: I do not remember the steps to FACTOR this epression. Please Help:
3y^2+13y+4
My problem is I do not remeber how to seperate the "y" and the "3"
Thank you
Answer by Alan3354(69443) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
3y^2+13y+4
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It will be (3y + a)*(y + b)
All the signs are +, no negatives
a*b = 4, so it's either 1*4 or 2*2
(3y + 1)*(y + 4) works.
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It's just a matter of trial an error, and there are only a few possibilities.
You can make a list or chart with all the possibilities, but that's still trial and error.