Is it possible to factor #y=x^2 + 3x - 10 #? If so, what are the factors?

1 Answer
Dec 21, 2015

It is possible to factor it in #RR#, and it's factorized form is #y = (x - (3+sqrt49)/2)(x - (3 - sqrt49)/2)#.

Explanation:

In order to know if there are real roots for this polynomial, you need to calculate #Delta = b^2 - 4ac#. Here, #Delta = 9 - 4*(-10) = 49# so it has two real roots.

They're given by the quadratic formula #(-b+- sqrtDelta)/(2a)#. We apply it to this trinomial and the roots are #(-3 +- sqrt49)/2#