How do you factor by grouping 28s^2 - 37s - 21?

1 Answer
Apr 23, 2015

Factoring f(x) = 28x^2 - 37x - 21.

There are 2 methods.

1. Factoring AC method (factoring by grouping) .
Find 2 numbers b1 and b2 that satisfy these 2 conditions:
Sum: (b1 + b2) = -37
and
Product: (b1*b2) = a*c = 588

To find b1 " and "b2" " compose factor pairs of a*c = -588
Proceed: (1, -588),(2,-294),....(12, -49)..."etc."
We find
b1 = 12" and "b2 = -49
( since their sum is -37. )

Next factor by grouping:
f(x) = 28x^2 - 49x + 12x - 21
= 7x*(4x - 7) + 3*(4x - 7)

Factored form:
f(x) = (4x - 7)(7x + 3)

**2. The new AC method to factor a trinomial f(x) **
f(x) = 28x^2 - 37x - 21." (1)"

First convert trinomial (1) to
trinomial: f(x) = x^2 - 37x - 588 " (2),
with a*c = -21*(28) = -588

Compose factor pairs of a*c = -
and apply the Rule of Sign for Real Roots.

Proceed: (-1, 588)....(-12, 49)

This sum is 49 - 12 = 37 = -b

Then b'1 = 12" and b'2 = -49#

Next, divide b'1" and "b'2 by a
to get b1" and "b2 for trinomial (1).

b1 = b'1/a = 12/28 = 3/7 ,
and
b2 = b'2/a = -49/28 = -7/4.

Then, the factored form is:
f(x) = (x + 3/7)(x - 7/4)
= (7x + 3)(4x - 7)

This new AC Method avoids the lengthy factoring by grouping.