Switching the + and - ...

Hello Brittany (and class):

Thanks for your question.

Is 3(2x-5)(x+3)the same thing as3(2x+5)(x-3)?

Unfortunately the answer is no. If you multiply these expressions out you'll find that they're not equal. If you remember what the 'linear term' is you'll notice that instead of '1x' you'll have '-1x'. Don't be discouraged though. It's a common mistake and almost everyone makes it when they're learning the finer points of factoring trinomials.

Good job in finding the problem though.
Good luck and have fun at the dance.