Resolve each of the following quadratic trinomials into factors:

12x2 – 17xy + 6y2

Here, coefficient of x2 = 12, coefficient of x = -17and constant term = 6y2


We shall now split up the coefficient of middle term i.e., -17y into two parts whose sum is -17y and product is 12 * 6y2 = 72y2


Clearly,


-9y – 8y = -17y and,


(-9y) (-8y) = 72y2


So, we replace middle term -17xy = - 9xy – 8xy


Thus, we have


12x2 -17xy+ 6y2 = 12x2 - 9xy - 8xy + 6y2


= 3x (4x – 3y) – 2y (4x – 3y)


= (3x – 2y) (4x – 3y)


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