You can
put this solution on YOUR website! How do you solve this expression:
3x^2-5x+2 can be factor as 3(x+p)^2=q
I think you mistyped. I think you meant
How do you solve this expression:
3x²-5x+2 can be factored as 3(x + p)² + q
Then let's multiply 3(x + p)² + q out and
see what p and q would have to be
3(x + p)² + q =
3(x + p)(x + p) + q =
3(x² + 2px + p²) + q =
3x² + 6px + 3p² + q =
Now compare that to
3x² - 5x + 2.
Now I'll do some coloring to make it clear:
3x² + 6px + 3p² + q =
Now compare that to
3x² - 5x + 2.
For those to be equal, those two red parts
must be equal and also those two blue parts
must be equal. IOW
6p = -5
3p² + q = 2
To solve that system, solve the first for p
6p = -5
p = -5/6
Now substitute -5/6 for p in
3p² + q = 2
3(-5/6)² + q = 2
3(25/36) + q = 2
25/12 + q = 2
Clear of fractions by multiplying thru by 12
25 + 12q = 24
12q = -1
q = -1/12
Therefore, p = -5/6 and q = -1/12. Therefore,
3x²-5x+2 can be factored as 3(x - 5/6)² - 1/12
Edwin