Question

x^2-x-6

this is factoring polynomials. i want to learn the step by step process to understand it.

Answer 1

first step: look at the -6 (the last number)
list all pairs of numbers that when multiplied give you 6:
1,6
2,3

2nd, notice the sign on the last number is minus. that means the numbers in the pairs will have opposite signs: one will be plus and the other minus

3rd look at -1x (-x means -1x)
the minus means the largest number of the pair from step 1 is minus

4th step: make the largest of each pair minus (because of step 3) and add
1-6 = -5
2-3= -1

5th step: if any of the answers in step 4 match the number -1 (from -1x)
those are the numbers you want.
in this case 2 and -3 are what you want

6th (last !) step
write (x +2)(x-3)