How do you factor 16b^2 +10b -21 ?

1 Answer
May 19, 2015

f(x) = 16x^2 + 10x - 21 = (x - p)(x - q)
Converted function: f'(x) = x^2 + 10 x - 336 = (x - p')(x - q')
Compose factor pairs of (-336). Proceed:... (-12, 28)(-14, 24). This last sum is: -14 + 24 = 10 = b. Then p' = -14 and q' = 24.

We get: p = (p')/a = -14/16 = -7/8 and q = (q')/a = 24/16 = 3/2

Factored form of f(x):
f(x) = (x - 7/8)(x + 3/2) = (8x - 7)(2x + 3)

Check by developing:
f(x) = 16x^2 + 24x - 14x - 21 = 16x^2 + 10x - 21. OK