Identify Coefficients: Step Title: Identify the CoefficientsConcise Step Description: Identify the coefficients of the quadratic equation, which are the numbers in front of the variables. In this case, the coefficients are 2, −26, and −60.Step Calculation: Coefficients are 2, −26, −60Step Output: Coefficients: 2, −26, −60
Find Factors: Step Title: Find the FactorsConcise Step Description: Find two numbers that multiply to the product of the first coefficient 2 and the last term −60, which is −120, and add to the middle coefficient −26.Step Calculation: Factors of −120 that add up to −26 are −30 and +4.Step Output: Factors: −30, +4
Rewrite Middle Term: Step Title: Rewrite the Middle TermConcise Step Description: Rewrite the middle term using the factors found in the previous step.Step Calculation: Rewrite −26x as −30x+4x.Step Output: Rewritten quadratic: 2x2−30x+4x−60
Factor by Grouping: Step Title: Factor by GroupingConcise Step Description: Group the terms into two pairs and factor out the greatest common factor from each pair.Step Calculation: Factor out the greatest common factor from the first pair 2x2−30x and the second pair 4x−60.Step Output: Factored by grouping: 2x(x−15)+4(x−15)
Factor Out Common Factor: Step Title: Factor Out the Common Binomial FactorConcise Step Description: Factor out the common binomial factor from the two groups.Step Calculation: The common binomial factor is (x−15).Step Output: Factored completely: (2x+4)(x−15)
Simplify Factored Expression: Step Title: Simplify the Factored ExpressionConcise Step Description: Simplify the factored expression by factoring out common factors in the first binomial if possible.Step Calculation: Factor out the common factor of 2 from the first binomial (2x+4).Step Output: Simplified factored form: 2(x+2)(x−15)