Factorise Simple Quadratics

Factorising simple quadratics may seem difficult at first, but there is a simple way to find the correct answer.

When factorising simple quadratics, your answer will look like this:

\[(x+a)(x+b)\]

To find the values of \(a\) and \(b\), you will need to follow these steps.

How to factorise a quadratic

\[x^2 + 7x + 10\]

The quadratics has two numbers in it we are interested in. The 7 (before the x) and the 10. We need to find two numbers that add together to make 7 and times together to make 10.

\[2 + 5 = 7\]

\[2 \times 5 = 10\]

Our numbers will be 2 and 5. Lets put them into the brackets!

\[(x+2)(x+5)\]

It does not matter which way around we put the numbers, since all multiplications work the same way whichever way round you write them.