Laurie C. answered • 04/10/16
Tutor
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Harvard Precalculus Algebra Geometry Trig SAT/ACT College Essays
Hi Sibi,
If you are trying to factor or solve X^2+11X+30, you would multiply the the first coefficient by the last term (1 x 30).
Then think of a way to multiply two numbers to make 30.
1 x 30
2 x 15
3 x 10
5 x 6
Look for the pair that when added or subtracted, would give you 11. In this case 5 and 6 add up to 11.
Write down two sets of parentheses.
( ) ( )
put x's in first position of each
(x ) (x )
put 5 and 6 in last positions
(x 5) (x 6)
Since your original problem has all + signs, put plus signs in both parentheses
(x+5) (x+6)
Now it is factored.
If you were asked to SOLVE instead of just factoring, you would then set each of those answers equal to zero and solve for x.
x+5=0
x=-5
x+6=0
x=-6
