Question 201377
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{{{4x^2+20x-96}}} Start with the given expression.



{{{4(x^2+5x-24)}}} Factor out the GCF {{{4}}}.



Now let's try to factor the inner expression {{{x^2+5x-24}}}



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Looking at the expression {{{x^2+5x-24}}}, we can see that the first coefficient is {{{1}}}, the second coefficient is {{{5}}}, and the last term is {{{-24}}}.



Now multiply the first coefficient {{{1}}} by the last term {{{-24}}} to get {{{(1)(-24)=-24}}}.



Now the question is: what two whole numbers multiply to {{{-24}}} (the previous product) <font size=4><b>and</b></font> add to the second coefficient {{{5}}}?



To find these two numbers, we need to list <font size=4><b>all</b></font> of the factors of {{{-24}}} (the previous product).



Factors of {{{-24}}}:

1,2,3,4,6,8,12,24

-1,-2,-3,-4,-6,-8,-12,-24



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



These factors pair up and multiply to {{{-24}}}.

1*(-24)
2*(-12)
3*(-8)
4*(-6)
(-1)*(24)
(-2)*(12)
(-3)*(8)
(-4)*(6)


Now let's add up each pair of factors to see if one pair adds to the middle coefficient {{{5}}}:



<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>-24</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>1+(-24)=-23</font></td></tr><tr><td  align="center"><font color=black>2</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>-12</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>2+(-12)=-10</font></td></tr><tr><td  align="center"><font color=black>3</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>-8</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>3+(-8)=-5</font></td></tr><tr><td  align="center"><font color=black>4</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>-6</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>4+(-6)=-2</font></td></tr><tr><td  align="center"><font color=black>-1</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>24</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>-1+24=23</font></td></tr><tr><td  align="center"><font color=black>-2</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>12</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>-2+12=10</font></td></tr><tr><td  align="center"><font color=red>-3</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=red>8</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=red>-3+8=5</font></td></tr><tr><td  align="center"><font color=black>-4</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>6</font></td><td  align="center"><font color=black>-4+6=2</font></td></tr></table>



From the table, we can see that the two numbers {{{-3}}} and {{{8}}} add to {{{5}}} (the middle coefficient).



So the two numbers {{{-3}}} and {{{8}}} both multiply to {{{-24}}} <font size=4><b>and</b></font> add to {{{5}}}



Now replace the middle term {{{5x}}} with {{{-3x+8x}}}. Remember, {{{-3}}} and {{{8}}} add to {{{5}}}. So this shows us that {{{-3x+8x=5x}}}.



{{{x^2+highlight(-3x+8x)-24}}} Replace the second term {{{5x}}} with {{{-3x+8x}}}.



{{{(x^2-3x)+(8x-24)}}} Group the terms into two pairs.



{{{x(x-3)+(8x-24)}}} Factor out the GCF {{{x}}} from the first group.



{{{x(x-3)+8(x-3)}}} Factor out {{{8}}} from the second group. The goal of this step is to make the terms in the second parenthesis equal to the terms in the first parenthesis.



{{{(x+8)(x-3)}}} Combine like terms. Or factor out the common term {{{x-3}}}



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So {{{4(x^2+5x-24)}}} then factors further to {{{4(x+8)(x-3)}}}



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Answer:



So {{{4x^2+20x-96}}} completely factors to {{{4(x+8)(x-3)}}}.



Note: you can check the answer by expanding {{{4(x+8)(x-3)}}} to get {{{4x^2+20x-96}}} or by graphing the original expression and the answer (the two graphs should be identical).


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