Chapter 8.6, Problem 41PPS

To determine

To factor: The polynomial $-4x^2+5x-12$ , if possible. If the polynomial cannot be factored using integers write prime.

Answer to Problem 41PPS

Prime

Explanation of Solution

Given:

  $-4x^2+5x-12$

Calculation:

The given polynomial is $-4x^2+5x-12$

This is a quadratic expression with $a=-4,b=5,c=-12$

Here, $ac=48$ . So, in order to factor the polynomial chose the factor of $48$ whose sum/difference is equal to b .

There is no such factor whose sum/difference gives b .

Therefore, the polynomial cannot be factored and hence it is a prime polynomial.