Factor y^2-y-12

Problem

y2−y−12

Solution

1. Identify the coefficients of the quadratic expression in the form a*y2+b*y+c where a=1 b=−1 and c=−12

2. Find two numbers that multiply to a*c=−12 and add to b=−1

3. Determine the pair of numbers, which are −4 and 3 since (−4)*(3)=−12 and −4+3=−1

4. Rewrite the expression in factored form (y+p)*(y+q) using the discovered numbers.

Final Answer

y2−y−12=(y−4)*(y+3)

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