1. Factoring

Find the solution y=x^2-4x+3 and y=x-1 so I have
If I want to factor the expression x^2-5x+4

I can find the roots (x-1)(x-4) I was shown another but I cannot remember correctly how to do it because it doesnt work but it should

if you put the factors in a square and take out common terms (numbers and signs, I believe that can only take out neg if both have it) I need a neg 1 and 4 outside to get the

x 4
x x^2 -4x
1 -1x 4

Any help where I am going wrong will be greatly appricated Thanks

2. Originally Posted by IDontunderstand
Find the solution y=x^2-4x+3 and y=x-1 so I have
If I want to factor the expression x^2-5x+4

I can find the roots (x-1)(x-4) I was shown another but I cannot remember correctly how to do it because it doesnt work but it should

if you put the factors in a square and take out common terms (numbers and signs, I believe that can only take out neg if both have it) I need a neg 1 and 4 outside to get the

x 4
x x^2 -4x
1 -1x 4

Any help where I am going wrong will be greatly appricated Thanks
$=x^2-5x+4$

$=x^2-4x-x+4$

$=x(x-4)-1(x-4)$

$=(x-4)(x-1)$

did you get it now???

3. no,I can factor it using the reverse foil method I learned a way that we are able to find the roots which is what you did I think, The other way that I have learned

Draw a square and divide that into 4 sections

put a x^2 in the top left

put c in the bottom right (4)

Multiply A and C together, Find the factors of those numbers that add or subtract to b, put those in the 2 remaining boxes with signs, (-1 and -4) andd to
-5 put x's next to numbers w/ factors

Now take out the common factor with sign in each row and column,

I believe to take out a neg it has to be in each box in the row/column

I dont have a neg in each so I cant take that out so I cannot get the correct roots.