Question

Factorise the following:

3x² – 2x – 16

Answer 1

Given expression: 3x² – 2x – 16

We have to find two numbers whose sum is –2 and whose product is –48.

These numbers are –8 and 6.

Now, using middle term factorisation method,

3x² – 2x – 16

= 3x² – 8x + 6x – 16

= x(3x – 8 + 2) (3x – 8)

= (3x – 8) (x + 2)

The factorisation result is (3x – 8) (x + 2).