How do you factor by grouping 6c^2+29c-42?

2 Answers
Apr 22, 2015

6c^2+29c-42

We are looking for factors, m and n, of 6
and
factors, p and q, of (-42)
such that
mq+np=29

  • this is because (mc+p)*(nc+q) = mnc^2+(mq+np)c +pq

factors of 6 = {(1,6),(2,3)} plus their negatives
factors of (-42) # = {(6,-7),(3,-14),(2,-21),(1,-42)} and their negatives

A bit of testing combinations comes up with the pairs
(p,q) = (6,1)
and
(m,n)=(-7,6)
that satisfy the requirement for the middle term

6c^2+29c-42 = (6c-7)(1c+6)

Apr 22, 2015

Multiply 6 xx -42 = -252

Now we look for factor of -252 that add to get 29

Because the product is negative and the sum is positive, we want the smaller number to be negative and the larger positive:
-1 252 does not add up to 29
-2 126 does not add up to 29
-3 84
-4 63
-5 is not a factor
-6 42

-7 36 does add up to 29

In 6c^2 + 29c -42 split the 29c into -7c+36c
(or 36c-7c -- either will work)

6c^2 + 29c -42 = 6c^2 + -7c + 36c -42

color(white)"ssssssssssssssss" =(6c^2 -7c) + (36c -42)

color(white)"ssssssssssssssss" =c(6c -7) + 6(6c - 7)

color(white)"ssssssssssssssss" =(c+ 6)(6c - 7)