Question

Factor 2x 2 - 10x + 8 completely.

Answer 1

2(x-1)(x-4)

Explanation:

Begin by dividing each term by 2 and pulling the 2 to the front.

`2x^2-10x+8 = 2(x^2-5x+4)`

This is a trinomial. Trinomials are three term algebraic expressions typically featuring variables to exponent powers. To break these trinomials down we factor them using the diamond method or GCF. The diamond method states that for a trinomial
`ax^2+bx+c` multiply a*c then find two numbers which multiply to this number and add to b. When you find those numbers, write them as
`(x-/+ number)(x-/+number)`.

`x^2-5x+4`

a=1, c=4

ac=4 and add to b=-5 which -1 and -4 satisfy

The factored form is 2(x-1)(x-4).