Question

Factor the trinomial x^2-4x-7

Answer 1

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Answer 2

4x² - 7x - 15

Multiply the constant by the leading coefficient and change the leading coefficient to 1.

x² - 7x - 60

We need two numbers a and b such that they multiply to -60 and add to 7. We find these numbers to be -5 and 12.

(x - a)(x - b)
(x + 5)(x - 12)

Now since we multiplied the constant by four at the start, we need to divide both numbers by 4.

(x + 5 / 4)(x - 12 / 4)
(x + 5 / 4)(x - 3)

Now we multiply the first factor by four to get rid of the fraction.

(4x + 5)(x - 3)

Answer 3

it's not 4x^2-4x-7

Answer 4

it is x^2-4x-7

Answer 5

oh, okay, sorry! about that. :0

Answer 6

I know you put it as (x+..)(x-...)