How do you factor the trinomial #3x^2 + 10x - 8#?

1 Answer
May 15, 2018

#(x+4)(3x-2)#

Explanation:

#"using the a-c method to factor the quadratic"#

#"the factors of the product "3xx-8=-24#

#"which sum to + 10 are + 12 and - 2"#

#"split the middle term using these factors"#

#3x^2+12x-2x-8larrcolor(blue)"factor by grouping"#

#=color(red)(3x)(x+4)color(red)(-2)(x+4)#

#"take out the "color(blue)"common factor "(x+4)#

#=(x+4)(color(red)(3x-2))#

#rArr3x^2+10x-8=(x+4)(3x-2)#