Question

factor: x^2-x-2

Answer 1

@jim_thompson5910

Answer 2

list the factors of -2

-2:

-1*2
-2*1

Which of those factors add to -1?

Answer 3

is it -1 and 2??

or

is it -2 and 1??

Answer 4

uhhhhhhhhhh -1and 2

Answer 5

no

Answer 6

-1+2 = 1 (positive 1, not negative 1)

Answer 7

k

Answer 8

so what does this mean?

Answer 9

that it is 1+2 not -1+2

Answer 10

no, it's -2+1

Answer 11

So

\[\Large x^2-x-2\]

factors to

\[\Large (x-2)(x+1)\]

Answer 12

notice the -2 and +1 in the factorization

Answer 13

yep