Box Method Calculator

The box method calculator is just what you need to relieve the stress some of us experience at the thought of algebra. This calculator is a powerful tool that allows you to enter the coefficients of your trinomial expressions, and it returns the factors as well as the details of the actual calculation used to solve the expression.

This accompanying article also contains valuable information on the following:

• What the box method is in maths;
• Step-by-step explanation on how to do the box method factoring by hand;
• How to use the box method factoring calculator; and
• The difference between polynomials and trinomials.

Are you interested in learning more about factoring trinomials? Visit our completing the square calculator, the factoring trinomials calculator or this quadratic formula calculator.

In math, the box method is a procedure used to factor trinomials. It utilizes a rectangle or box that is not drawn to scale. The box is divided into four parts, and then we find and allocate values to sections of the box, for which we later find the highest common factors.

A trinomial is an algebraic expression (a polynomial) with three terms that are either added or subtracted. Trinomials consist of a mixture of variables and constants. A trinomial is usually written as ax² + bx + c, where a, b, and c are numbers.

Let's suppose that you have been given the following trinomial to factorize:

$2x² + 7x + 5 = 0$

The coefficients and the constant term are referred to as $a$, $b$, and $c$, respectively. That is:

$ax² + bx + c = 0$

Here are the steps:

1. We first need to draw the box and divide it into four parts.

2. Next, place the $a$ and $c$ terms in the box diagonally opposite each other.

3. Find the product of the coefficients of the values you just placed in the box. In our case, it's $10$.

4. Now, find the factors of the product found in Step 3.

   $1$ and $10$
   $2$ and $5$

5. Find the two factors which, when added together, will result in the coefficient of the middle term of the original equation.

   $2$ and $5$

6. Now attach $x$ to these numbers and place the $2x$ and $5x$ terms in the empty places in the box.

7. Find the highest common factor of each pair of terms in each row and each column:

   • In the first row, we get: $5$;

   • In the second row: $2x$;

   • In the first column: $x$; and

   • In the second column: $1$.

8. Take the sum of the terms produced by the rows:

   $2x + 5$

   This is our first factor!

9. Take the sum of the terms produced by the columns:

   $x + 1$

   This is the second factor!

10. So, the factors of the trinomial $2x² + 7x + 5 = 0$ are:

    $(2x + 5)(x + 1)$

If you are interested in other algebraic calculators, visit the adding and subtracting polynomials calculator or our absolute value inequalities calculator.

Our box method calculator is a straightforward tool that requires you to enter the coefficients of your equation, and it will return the correct factors of the expression.

As a bonus, you may also view the box method calculation with steps by changing the option for Show step-by-step solution.

Here is how we use the box method to factor trinomials:

1. Write the first and last terms in the box diagonally opposite each other.

2. Find the factors of the product of the coefficients of the first and last terms.

3. Identify the factors of the product which, when added together, will result in the middle term.

4. Attach x to these terms and place them in the empty places in the box.

5. Place the factors of each row and column at the bottom and left of the box.

6. Add the terms on each side of the box.

(x - 2)(3x + 2). We factor this equation using the box method. You could also do this faster using Omni's box method factoring calculator.

In mathematics, a polynomial is an expression that contains several terms that are products of variables and coefficients. A trinomial is a polynomial containing exactly three terms. In particular, a quadratic trinomial contains an x^2 term, an x term, and a constant term.