The expression \(x^2 - 16x + 60\) can be written in the form \((x - a)(x - b)\), where \(a\) and \(b\) are both nonnegative integers and \(a > b\). What is the value of \(3b - a\)?
Factor the following: x^2 - 16 x + 60
The factors of 60 that sum to -16 are -6 and -10. So, x^2 - 16 x + 60 = (x - 6) (x - 10): (x - 10)(x - 6)
a=10 and b=6
3b - a =18 - 10=8