Question

The factorization below is missing two positive integers a and b. 6x^(3)+18x^(2)-240x=6x(x-a)(x+b) Factor the polynomial and then supply the value of a. (Do not include the minus sign.)

Answer 1

a = 5

Explanation:

Hello, please consider the following.

`6x^3+18x^2-240x=6x(x^2+3x-40)\\\\\text{** The sum of the zeroes is -3=-8+5 and the product is -40=-8*5. **}\\\\\text{** So, we can factorise. **}\\\\6x^3+18x^2-240x=6x(x^2+3x-40)=6x(x^2+8x-5x-40)\\\\=6x(x(x+8)-5(x+8))\\\\\large \boxed{=6x(x+8)(x-5)}`

So, a = 5.

Thank you.