Question

When factoring a trinomial of the form ax2 + bx + c where a and b are both positive and c is negative, you need to find two numbers, m and n, such that ax2 + bx + c = ax2 + mx + nx + c and _________.

A.
m and n are both positive
B.
m and n are both negative
C.
m is positive, n is negative, and |m|>|n|
D.
m is positive, n is negative, and |n|>|m|

Answer 1

Explanation:

Wrong. I just took the test and it's D.

Here's why:

when ax2-[mx+nx]-c

m and n need to have a positive and a negative coefficient.

if m is positive and a n is negative then n needs to be greater than m so the solution will also be negative to satisfy the need for [mx+nx] to be negative.

;)

Answer 2

m * n = a * c
Since a and b are positive and c is negative.
So, a * c is negative which means that m * n is negative, i.e. m is positive, n is negative.

Also m + n = b and since b is positive, then |m| > |n|.

Therefore, option C is the correct answer.