How do you factor 2nSquared-44n plus 242?

Answer 1

Factor 2n2 - 44n + 242 = f(n)

the quick way:

f(n) = 2 (n2 - 22n + 121)

notice by sight that 22 is 2 * 11 and 121 is 11 squared. Set b = 11

f(n) = 2 (n2 - 2bn + b2 )

Now, factor the expression in brackets. The + and - signs show that both factors will have minus signs, so expect the form (a - b)(c -d). Check that both n and b occur in the middle term, so

(n-b)(n-b) and therefore,

f(n) = 2 (n - 11)2

Which is the answer.