SOLUTION: State which method should be applied as the first step for factoring the polynomial. 2a^2 + 9a + 10 A)Find the GCF. B)Group the terms. C)Factor the difference of squares. D)U

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: State which method should be applied as the first step for factoring the polynomial. 2a^2 + 9a + 10 A)Find the GCF. B)Group the terms. C)Factor the difference of squares. D)U      Log On


   

Question 84308: State which method should be applied as the first step for factoring the polynomial.
2a^2 + 9a + 10
A)Find the GCF.
B)Group the terms.
C)Factor the difference of squares.
D)Use the ac method (or trial and error).
Answer by funmath(2933) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
State which method should be applied as the first step for factoring the polynomial.
2a^2 + 9a + 10
A)Find the GCF.
There is no GCF
B)Group the terms.
Usually done first if there is more than 3 terms.
C)Factor the difference of squares.
The difference of squares is this form: a^2-b^2, this isn't
highlight%28D%29Use the ac method (or trial and error).
This what you'd do first!
The ac method has you multiply the first coefficient and the last term:2*10=20
Then replace the middle coefficieant with coefficients that multiply to give you ac=20, but add to give you b=9
2a%5E2%2B4a%2B5a%2B10
%282a%5E2%2B4a%29%2B%285a%2B10%29
2a%28a%2B2%29%2B5%28a%2B2%29
(2a+5)(a+2)
Happy Calculating!!!