How do you write #x^2+8x+12# in factored form?

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Answer 1 · 2015-09-16T16:06:35

#color(blue)((x+2)(x+6)# is the factorised

#x^2+8x+12#

We can Split the Middle Term of this expression to factorise it.

In this technique, if we have to factorise an expression like #ax^2 + bx + c#, we need to think of 2 numbers such that:

#N_1*N_2 = a*c = 2*6 = 12#
and
#N_1 +N_2 = b = 8#

After trying out a few numbers we get #N_1 = 2# and #N_2 =6#
#2*6 = 12# and #2+ 6 = 8 #

#x^2+8x+12 = x^2+6x+2x+12#

#=x(x+6) +2(x+6)#

#color(blue)((x+2)(x+6)# is the factorised form of the exam.