Math  /  Algebra

QuestionFactor the following expression completely: 3w219w14=3 w^{2}-19 w-14= \square Question Help: Message instructor Submit Question
Question 10 Factor the following expression completely: 3x211x20=3 x^{2}-11 x-20= \square

Studdy Solution

STEP 1

What is this asking? We need to rewrite these expressions as a product of simpler expressions.
It's like reverse multiplication! Watch out! Don't forget to check if you can factor out a common factor from all terms at the very beginning.
It'll make your life much easier!
Also, double check your final factored form by multiplying it back out to make sure it matches the original expression.

STEP 2

1. Factor the first expression
2. Factor the second expression

STEP 3

We're starting with 3w219w143w^2 - 19w - 14.
Let's **factor** this bad boy!

STEP 4

First, we check if there's a **common factor** across all terms.
Nope, nothing we can pull out here.

STEP 5

Since the **coefficient** of w2w^2 is **3**, and the **constant term** is **-14**, we look for two numbers that multiply to 314=423 \cdot -14 = -42 and add up to the **coefficient** of our ww term, which is **-19**.

STEP 6

Let's think... 22 and 21-21 work! 221=422 \cdot -21 = -42 and 2+(21)=192 + (-21) = -19.
Perfect!

STEP 7

We **rewrite** the middle term using our magic numbers: 3w219w14=3w2+2w21w143w^2 - 19w - 14 = 3w^2 + 2w - 21w - 14.

STEP 8

Now, we **factor by grouping**: 3w2+2w21w14=w(3w+2)7(3w+2)3w^2 + 2w - 21w - 14 = w(3w + 2) - 7(3w + 2).
Notice that (3w+2)(3w + 2) is a **common factor**!

STEP 9

We **factor out** (3w+2)(3w + 2): w(3w+2)7(3w+2)=(3w+2)(w7)w(3w + 2) - 7(3w + 2) = (3w + 2)(w - 7).
Boom!

STEP 10

Now, let's tackle 3x211x203x^2 - 11x - 20.

STEP 11

Again, no **common factor** to pull out initially.

STEP 12

The **coefficient** of x2x^2 is **3**, and the **constant term** is **-20**, so we look for two numbers that multiply to 320=603 \cdot -20 = -60 and add up to **-11**.

STEP 13

Hmm... 44 and 15-15 fit the bill! 415=604 \cdot -15 = -60 and 4+(15)=114 + (-15) = -11.
Awesome!

STEP 14

**Rewrite** the middle term: 3x211x20=3x2+4x15x203x^2 - 11x - 20 = 3x^2 + 4x - 15x - 20.

STEP 15

**Factor by grouping**: 3x2+4x15x20=x(3x+4)5(3x+4)3x^2 + 4x - 15x - 20 = x(3x + 4) - 5(3x + 4).
We see (3x+4)(3x + 4) is a **common factor**!

STEP 16

**Factor out** (3x+4)(3x + 4): x(3x+4)5(3x+4)=(3x+4)(x5)x(3x + 4) - 5(3x + 4) = (3x + 4)(x - 5).
Nailed it!

STEP 17

The factored form of 3w219w143w^2 - 19w - 14 is (3w+2)(w7)(3w + 2)(w - 7).
The factored form of 3x211x203x^2 - 11x - 20 is (3x+4)(x5)(3x + 4)(x - 5).

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