<PRE><B>Question 91465</B>
factoring a quadratic with leading cofficient greater than one
2z^2-z-6
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ac = 2*-6 = -12
b = -1
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Think of two numbers whose product is -12 and whose sum is -1
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The numbers are -4 and +3
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Replace -z by -4z+3z as follows:
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2z^2-4z+3z-6
Factor the 1st two and the last two terms separately:
2z(z-2)+3(z-2)
Factor again to get the final answer:
(z-2)(2z+3)
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Cheers,
Stan H.</PRE>