Elementary Algebra

Published by Cengage Learning
ISBN 10: 1285194055
ISBN 13: 978-1-28519-405-9

Chapter 6 - Factoring, Solving Equations, and Problem Solving - 6.3 - Factoring Trinomials of the Form x^2+bx+x - Problem Set 6.3 - Page 255: 21

Answer

$(x+5)(x+16)$

Work Step by Step

To factor a trinomial in the form $x^2+bx+c$, we must find two numbers whose product is $c$ and whose sum is $b$. We then insert these two numbers into the blanks of the factors $(x+\_)(x+\_)$. In the case of $x^2+21x+80$, we are looking for two numbers whose product is $80$ and whose sum is $21$. The numbers $5$ and $16$ meet these criteria, because $$5\times16=80\;\text{and}\;5+16=21$$When we insert these numbers into the blanks, we arrive at the factors $(x+5)(x+16)$.
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