If 3a2 - 5ab - 2b2 is factored, one of the factors might be:

We want to factor 3a² - 5ab - 2b².

Note that

(3a) * (-2b) + a*b = - 6ab + ab = - 5ab

(3a) * a = 3a²

b * (-2b) = - 2b²

Therefore

3a² - 5ab - 2b² = (3a + b) (a - 2b)

The factors are (3a + b) and (a - 2b).

Answer:

One of the factors is (3a + b).

Another factor is (a - 2b).