How do you factor $4n^2- 26n- 42$ ?

Question

1698 views around the world

You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License

Answer 1 · 2015-05-23T20:55:55

$4n^2-26n-42 = (2n-13/2)^2-(13/2)^2-42$

$= (2n-13/2)^2-169/4-168/4$

$= (2n-13/2)^2-337/4$

$= (2n-13/2)^2-(sqrt(337)/2)^2$

$= (2n-13/2-sqrt(337)/2)(2n-13/2+sqrt(337)/2)$

Are you sure about the $-$ sign on $42$ ?

$4n^2-26n+42 = (2n-13/2)^2-(13/2)^2+42$

$= (2n-13/2)^2-169/4+168/4$

$= (2n-13/2)^2-1/4$

$= (2n-13/2)^2-(1/2)^2$

$= (2n-13/2-1/2)(2n-13/2+1/2)$

$= (2n-7)(2n-6)$

How do you factor 4n^2- 26n- 424n^2- 26n- 42?