Question

When asked to factor the trinomial 6x^2-18x+12, a student gives the answer (x-2)(x-1). What is one thing wrong with this answer? A. There is nothing wrong with the answer B. 6 is also a factor of this trinomial C. The factors are not simplified D. The minus signs should be plus signs

Answer 1

The correct answer is B because 6 needs to be included.

Answer 2

B. 6 is also a factor of this trinomial.

Explanation:

We have been given a trinomial
`6x^2-18x+12`. A student gives the answer (x-2)(x-1).

To figure out student's mistake, let us factor our given trinomial by splitting the middle term.

`6x^2-18x+12`

`6x^2-12x-6x+12`

`6x(x-2)-6(x-2)`

`(6x-6)(x-2)`

`6(x-1)(x-2)`

Therefore, 6 is also a factor of our given trinomial and option B is the correct choice.