Challenge (1 Viewer)

[Calculon]

This is an interesting question I found, it took me a while to figure out and I thought some of you might be up for a challenge

Express 4x² + 4x + 9y² - 6y - 3 - 12xy as the product of two factors

 

[Euler]

there is a perfect square screaming out. once you have that, it falls out nicely.

 

[nike33]

is ans, (2x-3y-1)(2x-3y+3) or am i missing something ?/

 

[CM_Tutor]

Yes.

 

[Affinity]

I usually tackle it by .. let y = 0, then let x=0 then ...

 

[Grey Council]

what does that do? hrm :S

 

[KeypadSDM]

It lets you figure out what the constants are at the end.

 

[KeypadSDM]

Originally posted by Calculon
Express 4x² + 4x + 9y² - 6y - 3 - 12xy as the product of two factors

Euler was right. It makes it dead simple:

4x² + 4x + 9y² - 6y - 3 - 12xy
= 4x² - 12xy + 9y² + 4x - 6y - 3
= (2x - 3y)² + 2(2x - 3y) - 3

Note, - 3 = 3 * -1
3 - 1 = 2