Mnemonic Devices > Math > Factoring a Trinomial with a Lead Coefficient
Factoring a Trinomial with a Lead Coefficient
The "3R" Method:
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"R"emove the lead coefficient, but don't throw it away. Multiply the constant with the lead coefficent.
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Factor the remaining trinomial
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3. "R"eplace the lead coefficent you removed. Put it in front of both x's.
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4. "R"educe! Reduce the numbers in each set of parenthesis, as you would a fraction, to lowest terms.
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5. Optional - use the FOIL method to check and see that I am right.
*note: if the three numbers in the trinomial have a common factor it must be factored out in the beginning for the "3R" method to work.
Thanks to Lyle O'Neal |
