Factoring perfect square trinomial

Question

How do you factor a trinomial from ax^2+bx+c=0 form into (x-?)(x+?)=0 form. For example: x^2+0.13-0.051=0 .... I can't figure out how to convert the numbers into what they should be for the second form (x-?)(x+?)

Answer 1

This is called the AC method

 

Multiply a * c

List all the possible factors of ac....both positive and negative.

 

Choose the pair of factors that adds up to b, being careful with signs.

 

Go back to the original equation.  Replace the b with what you got in the step before.

 

Factor first 2 terms and last 2 terms.  

 

Go from there.