How do you factor #3t^2-8t+4#?

1 Answer
Tony B
Apr 22, 2017

#(3t-2)(t-2)#

Explanation:

3 is a prime number so we can only have: #(3t+-?)(t+-?)#

The whole number factors of 4 are: 1 and 4 also 2 and 2
As the 4 is positive then both the ? must be of the same sign
As the 8 is negative it implies that both the ? are negative

Lets try:

#(3t-1)(t-4) -> 3t^2-12t-t +4 color(red)(" Fail")#

Lets try

#(3t-2)(t-2)->3t^2-8t+4 color(red)(" Works")#

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