When Is a Quadratic Equation Not Factorable?

The most reliable way I can think of to find out if a polynomial is factorable or not is to plug it into your calculator, and find your zeroes. If those zeroes are weird long decimals (or don't exist), then you probably can't factor it. Then, you'd have to use the quadratic formula.

What makes a quadratic not Factorable?

However it is factorable if you allow irrational coefficients. The quadratic x2−2x+2 is not factorable over the reals. That is, it has no simpler factors with Real coefficients - only Complex coefficients. ... In addition, if Δ is a perfect square (and a,b,c are rational) then it can be factored over the rationals.

Are all quadratic equations Factorable?

No, not all quadratic equations can be solved by factoring. This is because not all quadratic expressions, ax2 + bx + c, are factorable.