Wendy's Responses in WyzAnt Answers

Ciara,

to factor this type of polynomial, you need to consider what it looks like.  First, look for any common factors, which this one doesn't have.  Then, you need to look at it's form.  This trinomial is a standard quadratic where you have: ax^2+bx+c, where a=1, b=-1, and c=-56.  From this, you need to find a pair of numbers that multiply to c and add to b.  You don't have to consider a here because it is 1.  Any other time, you would need to.  So, a pair that multiply to -56 and add to -1.  That pair is -8 and 7.  Once you have those, you create your binomial factors.  In this case, (r-8)(r+7).  If a were something other than 1, that would not be the next step.  Hope this helps you out.

Elijah, this is a polynomial multiplication problem.  If you have learned FOIL, that is partway there.  You have to make sure that each term in the trinomial is multiplied by each term in the binomial.  It will go something like:

w*2w + w*3 + (-4u)*2w + (-4u)*3 + (-7)*2w + (-7)*3

Do your multiplying, combine like terms, and you will have your answer.  Notice how the 2w and 3 are repeated in my string.  Also, don't forget to put the signs with the next number, like in -4u and -7.  Good luck.

Wendy

Casey,

The first step to solve this is to draw parallelogram AMDC with AB drawn in perpendicular to CD.  Then, label all sides.  Remember, the area for a parallelogram is base * height.  The height is the AB that you were given, or 6.  The base will be CD.  But, you only have BD = 20.  If you have drawn this, however, you will see that you have right triangle ABC where BC is the rest of side CD.  Use Pythagorean theorem to find BC, add it to the 20, and that is the base.  Then, multiply that sum by the height, and you will have the area.

Wendy

Jerica, are you sure that you copied this problem out correctly?  I ask because you add 1/12 to 5/12 to get 6/12 which is 1/2.  There is no way to add a whole number because then you would get something larger than 1, but the answer is only 1/2.

Wendy

This question is such that you don't have to analyze the equation to graph it.  For this one, your first point will be at (-4,4), which means you move from the origin left 4, and then up another 4.  This puts the point in quadrant II.  Then, from that point, count the slope.  When I teach this, I remind my students that slope is rise over run, or the change in y over the change in x.  What this means is that you move vertically based on the numerator, and horizontally based on the denominator.  Also, to help with directions, I suggest that your vertical movement be based on the sign, which means that your horizontal movement will always be to the right.  In this case, the slope is negative, so from your starting point, you will move down 2 and right 3.  You can count the same movement from the new point and make a third point.  Then, connect the points, and you have your line.

Wendy