Question

What is this trinomial in factored form? 3a^2-2a-1

Answer 1

Simplifying 3a2 + -2a + -1 = 0 Reorder the terms: -1 + -2a + 3a2 = 0 Solving -1 + -2a + 3a2 = 0 Solving for variable 'a'. Factor a trinomial. (-1 + -3a)(1 + -1a) = 0 Subproblem 1Set the factor '(-1 + -3a)' equal to zero and attempt to solve: Simplifying -1 + -3a = 0 Solving -1 + -3a = 0 Move all terms containing a to the left, all other terms to the right. Add '1' to each side of the equation. -1 + 1 + -3a = 0 + 1 Combine like terms: -1 + 1 = 0 0 + -3a = 0 + 1 -3a = 0 + 1 Combine like terms: 0 + 1 = 1 -3a = 1 Divide each side by '-3'. a = -0.3333333333 Simplifying a = -0.3333333333 Subproblem 2Set the factor '(1 + -1a)' equal to zero and attempt to solve: Simplifying 1 + -1a = 0 Solving 1 + -1a = 0 Move all terms containing a to the left, all other terms to the right. Add '-1' to each side of the equation. 1 + -1 + -1a = 0 + -1 Combine like terms: 1 + -1 = 0 0 + -1a = 0 + -1 -1a = 0 + -1 Combine like terms: 0 + -1 = -1 -1a = -1 Divide each side by '-1'. a = 1 Simplifying a = 1Solutiona = {-0.3333333333, 1}