Question

Factor if possible, k^2-12k+20

Answer 1

what multiplies to get 20 and adds to get -12

(k-10)(k-2)

Answer 2

We're going to look at the factors that multiply to make 20 and try to find the ones that add up to -12

The signs are both negative because if one was negative 20 would be negative.

-1 and -12
-2 and -10
-4 and -5

Which one of these adds up to -12?

-10 and -2

so it will factor to

(k-10)(k-2)