Question

Please help! Factor Completely: x^2-2x-8

I have the two numbers that have the product of -8 and sum of -2.
-4 and 2
But I can't get past that

Answer 1

the way that I used to think of these when I first learned them was to set up the brackets and input them until I got the right answer. you have done all of the hard work. put this down with blanks then fill in until the answer works. (x )(x )
Since you already have the -4, 2 just put those in, and check by multiplying out
(x-4 )(x+2 )
= x^2 +2x-4x-8
= x^2-2x-8

Answer 2

Awesome! Thank you :D