<PRE><B>Question 261097</B>
HOW TO FACTOR 
3X^2+2XY-8Y^2
Think of two numbers whose product is 3*-8 = -24
and whose sum is 2
The numbers are +6 and -4
Use those numbers to rewrite the middle term:
3x^2 +6xy - 4xy - 8y^2
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Factor the 1st 2 and the last 2 terms seperately
3x(x+y)-4y(x+y)
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Factor again to get the final answer:
(x+y)(3x-4y)
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Cheers,
Stan H.
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