# Probably a simple question/factoring by and old guy

• Oct 25th 2009, 01:14 PM
jonb
Probably a simple question/factoring by and old guy
Someone asked me to help them do something that I have not done in 25 years at least and they have no book.

Sorry I don't know how to do math symbols on a computer.

2xsquare+7x-4

This looks like it should be easy but I can't figure out how to factor it so I can't help this person.
Thanks
Jon
• Oct 25th 2009, 01:20 PM
e^(i*pi)
Quote:

Originally Posted by jonb
Someone asked me to help them do something that I have not done in 25 years at least and they have no book.

Sorry I don't know how to do math symbols on a computer.

2xsquare+7x-4

This looks like it should be easy but I can't figure out how to factor it so I can't help this person.
Thanks
Jon

$2x^2+7x-4 =(2x-1)(x+4)$
• Oct 25th 2009, 01:25 PM
pickslides
$2x^2 +7x-4$ factors to the form $(2x+a)(x+b)$ where $a$ and $b$ multiply together to give $-4$

Try some combinations by expanding $(2x+a)(x+b)$ that gives you $2x^2 +7x-4$

Spoiler:

$(2x-1)(x+4)$
• Oct 25th 2009, 01:32 PM
jonb
thanks a bunch