# Factoring an Equation

• December 14th 2012, 11:49 AM
fogownz
Factoring an Equation
I'm trying to do pre-calculus with a very shaky foundation in algebra. Fortunately, over the course of the semester I've caught up in many regards to where I need to be. However, I'm still having some problems with factoring equations. I need to factor something that looks like this $6x^2-7x+2$. I don't really understand how to start tackling a problem like this.
• December 14th 2012, 12:04 PM
Plato
Re: Factoring an Equation
Quote:

Originally Posted by fogownz
I'm still having some problems with factoring equations. I need to factor something that looks like this $6x^2-7x+2$. I don't really understand how to start tackling a problem like this.

If the factors are not easily identifiable, I suggest start looking at the discriminate, $b^2-4ac$. If that is not a perfect square then the factors are not 'nice'.

If you know one root, say $\alpha$, then $(x-\alpha)$ is a factor.
• December 14th 2012, 12:07 PM
skeeter
Re: Factoring an Equation
$6x^2 - 7x + 2 = (3x-2)(2x-1)$

Factoring Quadratics: The Hard Case