Chapter 5: Problem 167
Factor each polynomial using the trial-and-error method. $$ 5 y^{2}-21 y+4 $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
(5y - 1)(y - 4)
Step by step solution
01
- Identify the general form
The polynomial is in the quadratic form: \[a y^{2}+b y + c\]. Here, \(a = 5\), \(b = -21\), and \(c = 4\).
02
- Propose factor pairs of the quadratic term and constant term
List the factor pairs of the quadratic coefficient (5) and the constant term (4): Factor pairs of 5: (1,5) and (5,1) Factor pairs of 4: (1,4), (2,2), and (4,1).
03
- Trial and error with factor pairs
We test combinations from these pairs that sum to the middle term coefficient (-21). The form will be: \[(my + n)(py + q)\]. Testing simple pairs first, say \((5y + 1)(y + 4)\): We calculate the middle term as follows: \[5y \times 4 + 1 \times y = 20y + y = 21y \]. Adjust the signs: Testing \((5y - 1)(y - 4)\): We calculate the middle term as follows: \[5y \times -4 + (-1)y = -20y - y = -21y \]This product yields our middle term, confirming the factorization.
04
- Verify the factorization by expanding
Expand the factorized form to check: \[(5y - 1)(y - 4) = 5y \times y - 5y \times 4 - 1 \times y + (-1) \times (-4)\]\[= 5y^{2} - 20y - y + 4\]\[= 5y^{2} - 21y + 4\]. This matches the original polynomial, verifying that the factorization is correct.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
quadratic formula
The quadratic formula is a powerful tool for solving quadratic equations, which are equations of the form \(ax^2 + bx + c = 0\). The formula is given by:
\[x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\] where \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\) are coefficients from the original equation.
Here’s how it works:
\[x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\] where \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\) are coefficients from the original equation.
Here’s how it works:
- Identify the coefficients \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\) in your quadratic equation.
- Substitute these values into the quadratic formula.
- Calculate the discriminant \(\Delta = b^2 - 4ac\).
- Evaluate the two possible solutions using the \( \pm \) in the formula.
trial-and-error method
The trial-and-error method is a straightforward way to factor quadratic polynomials when other methods may be unclear.
Let’s break it down:
Let’s break it down:
- First, identify the structure of your quadratic: \(ay^2 + by + c\).
- Next, list the factor pairs of the quadratic coefficient (\(a\)) and the constant term (\(c\)). For example, for the quadratic \(5y^2 - 21y + 4\), the coefficient pairs are (1, 5) and (5, 1) and the constant pairs are (1, 4), (2, 2), and (4, 1).
- Test various combinations of these factor pairs in the form \((my + n)(py + q)\).
- Adjust signs and terms to match the middle term. This might take several tries.
polynomial factorization
Polynomial factorization involves breaking down a polynomial into simpler polynomials that, when multiplied together, will give you the original polynomial.
Here are some key points:
Polynomial factorization is a fundamental skill in algebra that applies to solving equations, simplifying expressions, and even calculus.
Here are some key points:
- Factoring helps find the roots of the polynomial, which are the values of \(y\) that make the polynomial equal to zero.
- It simplifies complex algebraic expressions and makes them more manageable.
Polynomial factorization is a fundamental skill in algebra that applies to solving equations, simplifying expressions, and even calculus.