From: Martha Kumler <mskumler@frontiernet.net>
To: Teacher2Teacher Public Discussion
Date: 1998062215:06:13
Subject: Factoring trinomials

	
Here is a method to factor trinomials with leading coefficient >1

   Steps                                   Example

1. Multiply c by a, then drop           6x^2 - x - 12
   the leading coefficient               x^2 - x - 72

2. Factor the new trinomial             (x - 9)(x + 8)

3. Replace the leading coefficient
   in front of the x in each factor     (6x - 9)(6x + 8)

4. Remove and discard all common 
   factors within each parenthesis      (2x - 3)(3x + 4)
   and you will have the factors 
   of the original trinomial

Note: If the original problem contains a common factor, factor it out
first before following this procedure.  Ex:  6x^2 - 20x + 14
                                           2(3x^2 - 10x + 7)

	

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