In Exercises 1–30, factor each trinomial, or state that the trinomial is prime. Check each factorization using FOIL multiplication.x² + 8x + 12
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Identify the trinomial: \(x^2 + 8x + 12\).
Look for two numbers that multiply to the constant term (12) and add up to the linear coefficient (8).
The numbers 2 and 6 multiply to 12 and add up to 8.
Rewrite the middle term using the numbers found: \(x^2 + 2x + 6x + 12\).
Factor by grouping: \((x^2 + 2x) + (6x + 12)\) and then factor out the common factors: \(x(x + 2) + 6(x + 2)\), resulting in \((x + 2)(x + 6)\).
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Factoring Trinomials
Factoring trinomials involves rewriting a quadratic expression in the form ax² + bx + c as a product of two binomials. The goal is to find two numbers that multiply to 'c' (the constant term) and add to 'b' (the coefficient of the linear term). For the trinomial x² + 8x + 12, we look for two numbers that multiply to 12 and add to 8.
A trinomial is considered prime if it cannot be factored into the product of two binomials with rational coefficients. This occurs when there are no two numbers that satisfy the conditions for factoring. Recognizing a prime trinomial is essential for determining whether a given quadratic expression can be simplified further.
The FOIL method is a technique used to multiply two binomials, standing for First, Outside, Inside, Last, which refers to the order in which the terms are multiplied. After factoring a trinomial, using FOIL helps verify the accuracy of the factorization by ensuring that the product of the binomials returns to the original trinomial. This step is crucial for confirming the correctness of the factorization.