Identify Variables: Identify a, b, and c in the quadratic expression y2+5y+4. The quadratic expression is in the form y2+by+c, where a=1, b=5, and c=4.
Find Two Numbers: Find two numbers that multiply to c (4) and add up to b (5).We are looking for two numbers that when multiplied give us 4 and when added give us 5. The numbers 1 and 4 satisfy these conditions because 1×4=4 and 1+4=5.
Write Factored Form: Write the factored form using the two numbers found in Step 2.The factored form of the quadratic expression is (y+1)(y+4), because these two binomials multiply to give the original quadratic expression y2+5y+4.
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