Introductory Algebra for College Students (7th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-13417-805-X
ISBN 13: 978-0-13417-805-9

Chapter 6 - Section 6.2 - Factoring Trinomials Whose Leading Coefficient is 1 - Exercise Set - Page 437: 98

Answer

Possible values of b: $3,\ 4$ (note, if b=0, the polynomial can be factored, but then it is a binomial, not a trinomial)

Work Step by Step

If the trinomial $x^{2}+4x+b$ can be factored, it will be in the form $(x+n)(x+m)$, where the product of integers n and m is $b$ their sum is $4.$ 4 is positive, both factors of b are positive . $\left[\begin{array}{lll} \text{sum=4} & \text{product = b} & \\ 0+4 & 0 & \\ 1+3 & 3 & \\ 2+2 & 4 & \end{array}\right]$ possible values of b: $3,\ 4$ (note, if b=0, the polynomial can be factored, but then it is a binomial, not a trinomial)
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