# Math Help - Polynomial Help - Please Solve This Problem!!

1. Hi, and i apologize for this question, but i tried to look up guides, calculators, and NOTHING can solve this question. and I'm a university student who hasn't done math in over 4 years and i can't remember doing this stuff in highschool :S

Question:
x^2 + kx + 10
Sadly, i have no idea where to start here, i dont see anything that factors! can a math expert explain how you can factor any algebra question with 2 letters in the middle? or on side. Sorry im asking for too much!

If i cant get an answer, then maybe a simple link to something that can help with figuring out how to factor with 2 different letters in the middle.

2. Originally Posted by Jangan
Hi, and i apologize for this question, but i tried to look up guides, calculators, and NOTHING can solve this question. and I'm a university student who hasn't done math in over 4 years and i can't remember doing this stuff in highschool :S

Question:

Sadly, i have no idea where to start here, i dont see anything that factors! can a math expert explain how you can factor any algebra question with 2 letters in the middle? or on side. Sorry im asking for too much!

If i cant get an answer, then maybe a simple link to something that can help with figuring out how to factor with 2 different letters in the middle.
What are you trying to do with this equation? Please post the whole question.

3. i did say factoring it xD at least i thought i did o.O

4. Originally Posted by Jangan
i did say factoring it xD at least i thought i did o.O
Whether it can be factorised or not will depend on the value of k.

Again I ask, what is the original question? eg. Have you been asked to find the values of k such that the expression can be factorised?

5. yes exactly, gotta find the value of K. which is a problem it self!

6. Originally Posted by Jangan
yes exactly, gotta find the value of K. which is a problem it self!
Originally Posted by mr fantastic
What are you trying to do with this equation? Please post the whole question.
you should have done so instead of getting smart:
Originally Posted by Jangan
i did say factoring it xD at least i thought i did o.O
$x^2 + kx + 10$ can only be factorised (with real numbers) if its discriminant is greater than or equal to zero: $\Delta \geq 0$.

By definition, the discriminant of $ax^2 + bx + c$ is $\Delta = b^2 - 4ac$.

In your problem, a = 1, b = k and c = 10. Therefore $\Delta =$

Spoiler:
$k^2 - 40$.

Spoiler:
Therefore you require $k^2 - 40 \geq 0 \Rightarrow k^2 \geq 40$.

Spoiler:
The solution to this inequality is $k > \sqrt{40}$ or $k < - \sqrt{40}$.

7. oh no, this is one serious hard stuff -.-... Im doing a 2nd Year university math course so i can take 3rd year Java & C++ Coding courses.

with questions at the beginning of the semester being this hard, oh my god im going to go threw hell :S

thanks for your awesome answer, i will try to find guides on the internet on how to actually solve for these questions my self.

If you have any reference to anything that would be lovely. Thanks again, and wish you best of luck.