Question
Factor the expression
(a−1)(3a+1)
Evaluate
3a2−1−2a
Reorder the terms
3a2−2a−1
Rewrite the expression
3a2+(1−3)a−1
Calculate
3a2+a−3a−1
Rewrite the expression
a×3a+a−3a−1
Factor out a from the expression
a(3a+1)−3a−1
Factor out −1 from the expression
a(3a+1)−(3a+1)
Solution
(a−1)(3a+1)
Show Solution

Find the roots
a1=−31,a2=1
Alternative Form
a1=−0.3˙,a2=1
Evaluate
3a2−1−2a
To find the roots of the expression,set the expression equal to 0
3a2−1−2a=0
Factor the expression
More Steps

Evaluate
3a2−1−2a
Reorder the terms
3a2−2a−1
Rewrite the expression
3a2+(1−3)a−1
Calculate
3a2+a−3a−1
Rewrite the expression
a×3a+a−3a−1
Factor out a from the expression
a(3a+1)−3a−1
Factor out −1 from the expression
a(3a+1)−(3a+1)
Factor out 3a+1 from the expression
(a−1)(3a+1)
(a−1)(3a+1)=0
When the product of factors equals 0,at least one factor is 0
a−1=03a+1=0
Solve the equation for a
More Steps

Evaluate
a−1=0
Move the constant to the right-hand side and change its sign
a=0+1
Removing 0 doesn't change the value,so remove it from the expression
a=1
a=13a+1=0
Solve the equation for a
More Steps

Evaluate
3a+1=0
Move the constant to the right-hand side and change its sign
3a=0−1
Removing 0 doesn't change the value,so remove it from the expression
3a=−1
Divide both sides
33a=3−1
Divide the numbers
a=3−1
Use b−a=−ba=−ba to rewrite the fraction
a=−31
a=1a=−31
Solution
a1=−31,a2=1
Alternative Form
a1=−0.3˙,a2=1
Show Solution
