y^2−16y+60

1 answer

To factor the expression y^2 - 16y + 60, we can use the following steps:

1. Identify two numbers that multiply to 60 (the constant term) and add up to -16 (the coefficient of the middle term).
The two numbers are -10 and -6 because -10 * -6 = 60 and -10 + (-6) = -16.

2. Rewrite the middle term using the two numbers found in step 1:
y^2 - 10y - 6y + 60

3. Factor by grouping:
y(y - 10) - 6(y - 10)

4. Factor out the common binomial factor:
(y - 6)(y - 10)

Therefore, the factored form of y^2 - 16y + 60 is (y - 6)(y - 10).