How do you factor #2n^2 + 5n + 2#?

1 Answer
Alan P.
May 27, 2015

#2n^2+5n+2#

coefficient of the first term: #2 = 2xx1#
coefficient of the last term: #2 = 2xx1#
coefficient of the middle term (using only the factors above): #5 = 2xx2+1xx1#

#2n^2+5n+2 = (2n+1)(n+2)#

Alternative method:
Treat the given expression as a quadratic set equal to zero, with the form
#an^2+bn+c#
and use the quadratic formula
#(-b+-sqrt(b^2-4ac))/(2a)#
This will given solutions
#n=-2# and #n=-1/2#
for a factoring
#2(n+2)(n+1/2)#

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