Question which-

2.4 Equivalent Expressions - Factoring trinomials and special products
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Which of the following expressions is(are) a factor of 3 x 2 + 20 x - 63 ?

  1.   x - 9
  2. 3 x - 7
A.

we only

B.

Iwe only

C.

we and II

D.

Neither we nor II

Which of the following expressions is(are) a factor of 3 x 2 + 20 x -

Hard-difficulty · SAT Math · Equivalent Expressions — Factoring trinomials and special products. Read the question above, select your answer, and check the full explanation below to understand exactly why the correct choice works.

Answer explanation

Choice B is correct. The given expression can be factored by first finding two values whose sum is 20 and whose product is 3-63, or -189 . Those two values are 27 and -7 . It follows that the given expression can be rewritten as 3x2+27x-7x-63. Since the first two terms of this expression have a common factor of 3 x and the last two terms of this expression have a common factor of -7 , this expression can be rewritten as 3xx+9-7x+9. Since the two terms of this expression have a common factor of x+9, it can be rewritten as 3x-7x+9. Therefore, expression II, 3x-7, is a factor of 3x2+20x-63, but expression I, x-9, is not a factor of 3x2+20x-63

Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.