Question 114950
Determine if 18{{{x^2}}} - 54x + 45 is factorable, if so factor it.


Begin by factoring out a 9, which can be further factored into 3x3:

(3)(3)(2{{{x^2}}} - 6x + 5)

Now see if the polynomial can be factored further-we need factors of 5 that sum to -6.  We see that one factor will start with 2x and the other will start with x.  5 is a prime number, so the only factors of 5 possible are 5 and 1, and because 5 is positive we know that the factors have to both have the same sign, namely negative, as indicated by the -6x.  Unfortunately there is no combination that will sum to -6, so it can't be factored further.

So therefore, the answer is (3)(3)(2{{{x^2}}}-6x+5) .