To factor the quadratic expression we will start by identifying the values of a, b, and c.
x^2-8x+15 ⇔ 1x^2+( - 8)x+ 15
For our expression, we have that a= 1, b= - 8, and c= 15.
To factor a quadratic expression with leading coefficient a= 1, we need to find two factors of c= 15 whose sum is b= - 8.
Since 15 is a positive number, we will only consider factors with the same sign — both positive or both negative — so that their product is positive.
Factor Pair
Product
Sum
1 and 15
^(1* 15) 15
1+15 16
- 1 and - 15
^(- 1* (- 15)) 15
^(- 1+(- 15)) - 16
3 and 5
^(3* 5) 15
3+5 8
- 3 and - 5
^(- 3* (- 5)) 15
^(- 3+(- 5)) - 8
The integers whose product is 15 and whose sum is - 8 are - 3 and - 5.
x^2-8x+15 ⇔ (x-3)(x-5)
Let's use a graphing calculator to confirm our answer. To do so, we will graph the related functions in the same coordinate plane.
We see that only one graph appears. This means that both graphs coincide. Therefore, the expression has been factored correctly.
