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How do you factor the trinomial #a^2 - a - 20#?

Answer 1

Factor y = a^2 - a - 20.

Ans: (a + 4)(a - 5)

Factor: #y = a^2 - a - 20.# Fin 2 numbers knowing sum (-1) and product (-20). They are (4) and (-5). y = (a + 4)(a - 5).

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Answer 2

Jameson Allen

To factor the trinomial (a^2 - a - 20), we can use the factoring by decomposition method. First, we need to find two numbers that multiply to give us (a^2 \times (-20)) which is ( -20a^2) and add up to give us ( -a). These numbers are -5 and 4. Then, we rewrite the middle term ( -a) as the sum of these two numbers: (a^2 - 5a + 4a - 20). Next, we group the terms: (a(a - 5) + 4(a - 5)). Finally, we factor out the common factor (a - 5) to get ((a - 5)(a + 4)). So, the factored form of the trinomial (a^2 - a - 20) is ((a - 5)(a + 4)).

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.