Question

a^2-11a+30 factor each polynomial completely. If a polynomial is prime, state this.

Answer 1

Notice that:

$\begin{gathered} -5+(-6)=-11 \\ (-5)\cdot(-6)=30 \end{gathered}$

Therefore, we can factor the given equation as follows:

$a^2-11a+30=(a-5)(a-6)$

The polynomial is not prime.