Factor 6x^2+x-12

Problem

6*x2+x−12

Solution

1. Identify the coefficients of the quadratic expression a*x2+b*x+c where a=6 b=1 and c=−12

2. Calculate the product of a and c which is 6×−12=−72

3. Find two numbers that multiply to −72 and add up to the middle coefficient b=1 These numbers are 9 and −8

4. Rewrite the middle term x using these two numbers: 6*x2+9*x−8*x−12

5. Factor by grouping the first two terms and the last two terms: (6*x2+9*x)+(−8*x−12)

6. Factor out the greatest common factor from each group: 3*x*(2*x+3)−4*(2*x+3)

7. Factor out the common binomial (2*x+3) to obtain the final factored form.

Final Answer

6*x2+x−12=(3*x−4)*(2*x+3)

Want more problems? Check here!