How do you factor 5n^2+10n+20?

2 Answers
May 19, 2015

y = 5(n^2 + 2n + 4)

The expression in parentheses can't be factored because D < 0

May 19, 2015

We must find its roots and then transform them into factors.

Using Bhaskara we get:

(-10+-sqrt(-300))/10

However, Delta=-300 indicates imaginary roots, because we can rewrite it as 300(-1), which will pave the way to find a solution.

We know, by imaginary numbers definition, that (-1)=i^2. Therefore, sqrt(-1)=i and we can proceed.

(-10+-10isqrt(3))/10=-1+-isqrt(3)

Imaginary roots cannot be factors.