"x2" was replaced by "x^2"
1) Equation at the end of step 1.
(3x² - 2x) - 1
2) Trying to factor by splitting the middle term.
<u>2.1 </u> Factoring 3x²-2x-1
The first term is, 3x² it's coefficient is 3.
The middle term is, -2x it's coefficient is -2.
The last term, "the constant", is -1.
Step 1 - Multiply the coefficient of the first term by the constant 3 · -1 = -3
Step 2 - Find two factors of -3 whose sum equals the coefficient of the middle term, which is -2.
Step 3 - Rewrite the polynomial splitting the middle term using the two factors you used in step 2.
Step 4 - Add up the first 2 terms, pulling out like factors and then add up the last 2 terms, pulling out common factors.
Step 5 - Add up the four terms of step 4. (Which is the desired factorization).
Final result - (x - 1) · (3x + 1).
Hope this helps!
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- Kana
