Question

Factorise the following:

x² + 3x + 2

Answer 1

Given: x² + 3x + 2

Step-wise calculation:

1. Find two numbers whose product is 2 the constant term and whose sum is 3 the coefficient of x.

These numbers are 1 and 2, since 1 × 2 = 2 and 1 + 2 = 3.

2. Rewrite the middle term using these numbers:

x² + 1x + 2x + 2

3. Group terms and factor each group:

x(x + 1) + 2(x + 1)

4. Factor out the common binomial:

(x + 1)(x + 2)