Q 85E - Intermediate Algebra

Question

In the following exercises, factor each trinomial of the form 

$x^2-3xy-14y^2$

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The trinomial is prime. Hence there is no factors for the equation.

Step 1. Given information

The given equation is $x^2-3xy-14y^2$

Step 2. Writing factors as two binomial with first term x and second term y.

The factors should be written as two binomials with first term r and second term s. 

$(x y)(x y)$

The product of the two numbers is 14,and their sum is 3. Because the third term sign is negative, the sum seems to be a difference.

$\begin{array}{cccc}\mathrm{Factors}& 24& 12& 8\\ & 1& 2& 3\\ \mathrm{Difference}& 23& 10& 5\end{array}$

There are no factors pair that sum is 3. The given trinomial is prime.