Question

factor
v^2-3v-40

Answer 1

Should I even post a solution for this one?

Answer 2

v^2-3v-40
v^2-8v+5v-40
v(v-8)+5(v-8)
(v-8)(v+5)

Answer 3

You see, the steps are exactly the same as the other one.

Answer 4

The reason this works is because if you add a number and subtract a number as shown above in the 2nd step:
v^2 - 3v - 5v + 5v - 40
You are not modifying the equation in any way. Instead you are making it more accessible for your purposes. Hope that helps.

Answer 5

so what you did is you take what you multiply to get 40??

Answer 6

Yes, but it also has to add up to get -3

-8*5 = -40

-8 + 5 = -3

Answer 7

ooohhhh well that sux

Answer 8

The center term needs to be the two factors added and the rightmost term needs to be the two factors multiplied. Does that make sense?

Answer 9

yes it does thank you guys it helps a lot now!!