Chapter 6: Problem 36
Factor completely. If the polynomial cannot be factored, write prime. $$ x^{2}-13 x+36 $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The factored form is \( (x-4)(x-9) \).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the quadratic equation
The given polynomial is a quadratic equation of the form \(ax^2 + bx + c \). In this case, it is \(x^2 - 13x + 36\).
02
Find factors of the constant term
Identify two numbers that multiply to the constant term (36) and add up to the coefficient of the middle term (-13). These two numbers will be the factors of the quadratic equation.
03
Determine the right pair of factors
Examine pairs of factors of 36: 1 and 36, 2 and 18, 3 and 12, 4 and 9, 6 and 6. Notice that the pair (-4) and (-9) multiply to 36 and add to -13.
04
Write the factored form
Use the identified factors to write the quadratic in factored form: \( (x-4)(x-9) \). Therefore, the completely factored form of \(x^2 - 13x + 36\) is \( (x-4)(x-9) \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Quadratic Equation
A quadratic equation is a type of polynomial equation of the form \( ax^2 + bx + c \), where \( a \), \( b \), and \( c \) are constants. In the given exercise, the quadratic equation is \( x^2 - 13x + 36 \). The highest exponent is 2, which tells us this is a quadratic equation.
Quadratic equations often appear in physics, engineering, and various real-world problems. Understanding how to solve them is crucial.
Quadratic equations often appear in physics, engineering, and various real-world problems. Understanding how to solve them is crucial.
- The term \( ax^2 \) is called the quadratic term.
- The term \( bx \) is the linear term.
- The term \( c \) is the constant term.
Factoring Polynomials
Factoring polynomials involves breaking down a polynomial into simpler 'factor' polynomials that multiply to give the original polynomial. In the problem \( x^2 - 13x + 36 \), we aim to express it as \( (x - m)(x - n) \), where \( m \) and \( n \) are numbers to be found.
Steps to factor a polynomial like this:
Steps to factor a polynomial like this:
- Identify the quadratic equation format \( ax^2 + bx + c \).
- Find two numbers that multiply to the constant term \( c \) and add up to the coefficient \( b \) of the linear term.
- Write the polynomial in its factored form using the identified numbers.
Constants and Coefficients
In a quadratic equation \( ax^2 + bx + c \), \( a \), \( b \), and \( c \) are fundamental elements known as coefficients and constants.
Let's define each one:
Let's define each one:
- Coefficients: These are the numerical factors of the terms in a polynomial. In \( x^2 - 13x + 36 \), the coefficient of \( x^2 \) is 1 (since it's written as 1\( x^2 \)), and the coefficient of \( x \) is -13.
- Constant: This is the term without any variable attached to it. In the equation, 36 is the constant.
- The constant term provides the product for the factor pairing.
- The coefficient of the middle term gives the sum required of those factors.