how do I factor out when there are two different variables?
Thanks!
4 years ago
Answered By David F
There is no need to be afraid of this question. The fact that you have two squared variables means that you have two parenthetical expressions. In the first example, a and b are squared. That means you will have some form of (a + b) times some form of (a + b); i.e., (a + b)(a + b). Then you look at the 6ab and the 5b2 (5b squared--my computer doesn't make the exponent symbol). The 6ab says that you will add some numbers that come to 6. That's either 3 + 3, 4 + 2, or 5 + 1. If you try to make it (a + 3b)(a + 3b), it won't work. That would give you a2 + 6ab + 9b2. But one of the other two options does work. See if you can find which one! (I could explain all this easier in person!)
4 years ago
Answered By David F
There is no need to be afraid of this question. The fact that you have two squared variables means that you have two parenthetical expressions. In the first example, a and b are squared. That means you will have some form of (a + b) times some form of (a + b); i.e., (a + b)(a + b). Then you look at the 6ab and the 5b2 (5b squared--my computer doesn't make the exponent symbol). The 6ab says that you will add some numbers that come to 6. That's either 3 + 3, 4 + 2, or 5 + 1. If you try to make it (a + 3b)(a + 3b), it won't work. That would give you a2 + 6ab + 9b2. But one of the other two options does work. See if you can find which one! (I could explain all this easier in person!)
4 years ago
Answered By Adam S
Answer 1: (a+1b)(a+5b)
Answer 2: (x-5y)^2