Algebra: A Combined Approach (4th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321726391
ISBN 13: 978-0-32172-639-1

Chapter 6 - Section 6.3 - Factoring Trinomials of the Form ax2+bx+c - Exercise Set - Page 437: 98

Answer

5, 4

Work Step by Step

$3x^2-8x+c$ The polynomial above can be re-written as $(3x+a)(x+b)$ $(3x+a)(x+b)$ $3x*x+3x*b+a*x+a*b$ $3x^2+3bx+ax+ab$ $3x^2=3x^2$ $3bx+ax=-8x$ $ab=c$ $3bx+ax=-8x$ $3b+a=-8$ Since we want positive values of $c$, then $a$ and $b$ have the same sign. $b=-3$ $3b+a=-8$ $3*-3+a=-8$ $-9+a=-8$ $a=1$ $b=-2$ $3b+a=-8$ $3*-2+a=-8$ $-6+a=-8$ $a=-2$ $b=-1$ $3b+a=-8$ $3*-1+a=-8$ $-3+a=-8$ $a=-5$ $b=0$ $3b+a=-8$ $3*0+a=-8$ $a=-8$ $b=1$ $3b+a=-8$ $3*1+a=-8$ $3+a=-8$ $a=-11$ $b\ne-3$ as the sign of $a$ is positive. Also, for this same reason, $b\ne0$ and $b\ne1$. Thus, the only values of $b$ are -2 and -1. The respective values of $a$ (for $b=-2$ and $b=-1$) are $-2$ and $-5$. With $a=-2$ and $b=-2$, $c=-2*-2$, or $4$. With $a=-5$ and $b=-1$, $c=-5*-1$, or $5$. Thus, the only possible positive values of $c$ are $5$ and $4$.
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