Factoring Intuition Math Example 3

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 3

easy
Find two numbers that multiply to 18 and add to 9.

Solution

  1. 1
    Factor pairs: (1,18),(2,9),(3,6)(1,18), (2,9), (3,6).
  2. 2
    3+6=93 + 6 = 9 ✓. The numbers are 3 and 6.

Answer

3 and 63 \text{ and } 6
Systematic checking of factor pairs is the key skill for factoring trinomials.

About Factoring Intuition

Understanding factoring as finding what multiplies together to give an expression.

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More Factoring Intuition Examples

Example 1 easy

What two numbers multiply to 12 and add to 7?

Example 2 medium

Find two numbers that multiply to [formula] and add to [formula].

Example 4 hard

Find two numbers that multiply to [formula] and add to [formula].

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