Question

Need Help: Given the trinomial x^2+bx-c where both the first sign is positive and the second sign is negative, the signs of the factors will be:
A. one positive and one negative
B. both negative
C. both positive
D. cannot determine

Answer 1

What happens when you expand the following:
\[(ax+b)(cx+d)\\
(ax-b)(cx-d)\\
(ax+b)(cx-d)\\
(ax-b)(cx+d)\]
Specifically, what happens to the sign of the constant term?

Answer 2

Double-check that you have copied the problem down correctly. In your x^2 + bx - c, the first two terms are (+), while the last term is (-).