MTH 114 Study Guide - Final Guide: Quadratic Equation, Abscissa And Ordinate, Linear Equation
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Factoring polynomials that have three terms: ax + bx + c. Check to see if you can monomial factor (factor out common terms). Then, if a = 1 (the first term is simply x ), use double parentheses and factor the first term. Place these factors in the left sides of the parenthesis. Factor the last term, and place the factors in the right side of the parentheses. To decide on the signs of the numbers, do the following. If the sign of the last term is negative: Find two numbers whose product is the last term and whose difference is the coefficient (number in front) of the middle term. Give the larger of the two numbers the sign of the middle term, and give the opposite sign to the other factor. If the sign of the last term is positive: Find two numbers whose product is the last term and whose sum is the coefficient of the middle term.
