Chapter 5: Problem 11
Factor each polynomial. $$ x^{2}-6 x+8 $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
\((x - 4)(x - 2)\)
Step by step solution
01
- Identify coefficients
Identify the coefficients in the polynomial. Here, the polynomial is in the form of \(ax^2 + bx + c\) where \(a=1\), \(b=-6\), and \(c=8\).
02
- Find two numbers that multiply to \(c\) and add to \(b\)
Find two numbers that multiply to \(c=8\) and add to \(b=-6\). These numbers are \(-4\) and \(-2\) because \((-4)\times(-2)=8\) and \((-4)+(-2)=-6\).
03
- Write the factors
Using these numbers, write the factors of the polynomial. The polynomial \(x^2 - 6x + 8\) factors to \((x - 4)(x - 2)\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Quadratic Equations
A quadratic equation is any polynomial equation of the form \(ax^2+bx+c=0\). The highest exponent in this equation is 2, making it a 'quadratic'. Quadratic equations often appear in algebra, and they can be used to describe various real-world problems. The standard form includes three terms:
- The 'quadratic term' (\(ax^2\))
- The 'linear term' (\(bx\))
- The 'constant term' (\(c\))
Factoring Techniques
Factoring is the process of breaking down a polynomial into simpler components called factors that, when multiplied together, give you the original polynomial. For quadratic equations, this usually involves finding two binomials. Here's a simple approach to factor a basic quadratic equation:
- Identify the coefficients (\(a\), \(b\), and \(c\)).
- Look for two numbers that multiply to \(c\) and add to \(b\).
- Transform the quadratic expression into the product of two binomials.
Polynomial Coefficients
We often describe the parts of a polynomial equation as coefficients. In the equation \(x^2 - 6x + 8\), coefficients determine the behavior and solutions of the equation. Coefficients are:
- 'a' for the quadratic term (\(a\) in \(ax^2\))
- 'b' for the linear term (\(b\) in \(bx\))
- 'c' for the constant term (constant or standalone number)
Roots of Equations
The roots of a quadratic equation are the solutions to the equation \(ax^2 + bx + c = 0\). These are the values of \(x\) that make the equation true. The factored form of the polynomial, such as \((x - 4)(x - 2)=0\), can be easily solved to find the roots:
- Set each factor to zero: \(x-4=0\) and \(x-2=0\);
- Solve for \(x\): \(x=4\) and \(x=2\);