How do you factor 5x2−17x+6?

1 Answer
Richard G.
Mar 6, 2016

(5x−2)(x−3)

Explanation:

Open two sets of brackets.

The factors of 5x2 are 5x,x. Put them in the brackets.(5x)(x).

Multiply the first and last coefficients, 5 x 6= 30. The factors of +30 are: +1, +30; +2, +15; +3, +10; +5, +6; -5, -6; -3, -10; -2, -15; and -1, -30.

Add each of these. The sum of -2, -15 is -17, the middle coefficient, so these are the right ones.

But you started by multiplying by 5, so now you must divide by 5, which goes into the -15, leaving the factor as -3.

(5x−2)(x−3)

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