Question 168974

Looking at the expression {{{z^2-13z+30}}}, we can see that the first coefficient is {{{1}}}, the second coefficient is {{{-13}}}, and the last term is {{{30}}}.
 
 

Now the question is: what two whole numbers multiply to {{{30}}} (the last term) <font size=4><b>and</b></font> add to the second coefficient {{{-13}}}?



To find these two numbers, we need to list <font size=4><b>all</b></font> of the factors of {{{30}}}.



Factors of {{{30}}}:

1,2,3,5,6,10,15,30

-1,-2,-3,-5,-6,-10,-15,-30



Note: list the negative of each factor. This will allow us to find all possible combinations.



These factors pair up and multiply to {{{30}}}.

1*30
2*15
3*10
5*6
(-1)*(-30)
(-2)*(-15)
(-3)*(-10)
(-5)*(-6)


Now let's add up each pair of factors to see if one pair adds to the middle coefficient {{{-13}}}:



<table border="1"><th>First Number</th><th>Second Number</th><th>Sum</th><tr><td  align="center"><font color=black>1</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>30</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>1+30=31</font></td></tr><tr><td  align="center"><font color=black>2</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>15</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>2+15=17</font></td></tr><tr><td  align="center"><font color=black>3</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>10</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>3+10=13</font></td></tr><tr><td  align="center"><font color=black>5</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>6</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>5+6=11</font></td></tr><tr><td  align="center"><font color=black>-1</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>-30</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>-1+(-30)=-31</font></td></tr><tr><td  align="center"><font color=black>-2</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>-15</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>-2+(-15)=-17</font></td></tr><tr><td  align="center"><font color=red>-3</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=red>-10</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=red>-3+(-10)=-13</font></td></tr><tr><td  align="center"><font color=black>-5</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>-6</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>-5+(-6)=-11</font></td></tr></table>



From the table, we can see that the two numbers {{{-3}}} and {{{-10}}} add to {{{-13}}} (the middle coefficient).



So the two numbers {{{-3}}} and {{{-10}}} both multiply to {{{30}}} <font size=4><b>and</b></font> add to {{{-13}}}



Now replace the middle term {{{-13z}}} with {{{-3z-10z}}}. Remember, {{{-3}}} and {{{-10}}} add to {{{-13}}}. So this shows us that {{{-3z-10z=-13z}}}.



{{{z^2+highlight(-3z-10z)+30}}} Replace the second term {{{-13z}}} with {{{-3z-10z}}}.



So the expression breaks down into {{{z^2-3z-10z+30}}}