SOLUTION: Use the “ac test” to determine if the following trinomial can be factored. Find the values of ma and n for the trinomial so that it can be factored: x^2 + 2x - 15

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: Use the “ac test” to determine if the following trinomial can be factored. Find the values of ma and n for the trinomial so that it can be factored: x^2 + 2x - 15       Log On


   



Question 64090: Use the “ac test” to determine if the following trinomial can be factored. Find the values of ma and n for the trinomial so that it can be factored:
x^2 + 2x - 15

Answer by funmath(2933) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
There is different terminology for factoring depending on your book and teacher, I am not familiar with your terminology.
:
x^2 + 2x - 15
The coefficient of x^2 is a, the coefficient of x is b, and the constant is c.
a=1, b=2, c=-15
ac=(1)(-15)=-15
We need 2 numbers that multiply to get ac=-15 and add to get b=2
5*-3=-15
5+(-3)=2
Therefore, the trinomial factors out to be:
x%5E2%2B2x-15=%28x%2B5%29%28x-3%29
Hope this helped.
Happy Calculating!!!