How do you factor by grouping 2n^2 + 5n + 2?

1 Answer
George C.
May 17, 2015

2n^2 + 5n + 2

= 2n^2 + 4n + n + 2

= 2n(n+2)+1(n+2)

= (2n+1)(n+2)

The 'trick' is the particular separation of 5n into 4n+n, which results in the ratio of the first to second coefficients being the same as the ratio of the third to fourth coefficients.

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