Solve 3a^2+a

$$3 a ^ { 2 } + a$$

Factor

$$a\left(3a+1\right)$$

Solution Steps

Factor out a.

$$a\left(3a+1\right)$$

Steps Using the Quadratic Formula

Quadratic polynomial can be factored using the transformation ax^{2}+bx+c=a\left(x-x_{1}\right)\left(x-x_{2}\right), where x_{1} and x_{2} are the solutions of the quadratic equation ax^{2}+bx+c=0.

$$3a^{2}+a=0$$

All equations of the form ax^{2}+bx+c=0 can be solved using the quadratic formula: \frac{-b±\sqrt{b^{2}-4ac}}{2a}. The quadratic formula gives two solutions, one when ± is addition and one when it is subtraction.

$$a=\frac{-1±\sqrt{1^{2}}}{2\times 3}$$

Take the square root of 1^{2}.

$$a=\frac{-1±1}{2\times 3}$$

Multiply 2 times 3.

$$a=\frac{-1±1}{6}$$

Now solve the equation a=\frac{-1±1}{6} when ± is plus. Add -1 to 1.

$$a=\frac{0}{6}$$

Divide 0 by 6.

$$a=0$$

Now solve the equation a=\frac{-1±1}{6} when ± is minus. Subtract 1 from -1.

$$a=-\frac{2}{6}$$

Reduce the fraction \frac{-2}{6} to lowest terms by extracting and canceling out 2.

$$a=-\frac{1}{3}$$

Factor the original expression using ax^{2}+bx+c=a\left(x-x_{1}\right)\left(x-x_{2}\right). Substitute 0 for x_{1} and -\frac{1}{3} for x_{2}.

$$3a^{2}+a=3a\left(a-\left(-\frac{1}{3}\right)\right)$$

Simplify all the expressions of the form p-\left(-q\right) to p+q.

$$3a^{2}+a=3a\left(a+\frac{1}{3}\right)$$

Add \frac{1}{3} to a by finding a common denominator and adding the numerators. Then reduce the fraction to lowest terms if possible.

$$3a^{2}+a=3a\times \frac{3a+1}{3}$$

Cancel out 3, the greatest common factor in 3 and 3.

$$3a^{2}+a=a\left(3a+1\right)$$

Evaluate

$$a\left(3a+1\right)$$