Year 10 Interactive Maths - Second Edition

Quadratic Trinomials

Factors of Quadratic Trinomials of the Type x² + bx + c

The Distributive Law is used in reverse to factorise a quadratic trinomial, as illustrated below.

We notice that:

• 5, the coefficient of x, is the sum of 2 and 3.
• 6, the independent term, is the product of 2 and 3.

Note:

The product of two linear factors yields a quadratic trinomial; and the factors of a quadratic trinomial are linear factors.

In general:

Example 8

Solution:

Check:

Key Terms

quadratic trinomial, linear factors

Study Another Topic in Chapter 10: Factorisation Techniques

[ Highest Common Factor ] [ Factorisation using the Common Factor ] [ The Difference of Two Squares ] [ Quadratic Trinomials ] [ Cross-Multiplication Method ] [ Factors of Quadratic Trinomials of the Type ax² + bx + c ] [ Use of Perfect Squares ] [ Use of Substitution ] [ Use of a Common Factor ] [ Factorisation of Four Terms ] [ Grouping 'Three and One' ] [ Real Numbers ] [ Completing the Square ] [ Problem Solving Unit ] [ Projects ] [ Symbols ] [ Index ]