SOLUTION: How do I completely Factor {{{y^2+7y+12}}}?

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: How do I completely Factor {{{y^2+7y+12}}}?      Log On


   

Question 9659: How do I completely Factor y%5E2%2B7y%2B12?
Answer by Earlsdon(6294) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Factor:
y%5E2%2B7y%2B12 You want to find two integers whose sum is +7 (from +7y) and whose product is +12 (from the constant term of +12)
It doesn't take much effort to see that the only possibilities are: +3 and +4.
So the factors of:y%5E2%2B7y%2B12 are %28y%2B3%29%28y%2B4%29 and you can easily verify this by the use of the FOIL method of multiplying these two factors.