Question

can anyone help me with factoring. I need a step by step explanation of x^2-5x-6. I'm study or a placement test and can't remember how to do these

Answer 1

if it factors nicely, consider the last and middle terms, and how they are related

-6+(what)= -5

Answer 2

then we can rewrite the setup as

x^2 -6x + (what)x -6

and then factor by grouping

Answer 3

Steps to factor

\(x^2 + ax + b\)

1. Find 2 numbers whose product is \(b\) and whose sum is \(a\). Call them \(p\) and \(q\).
2. The factorization of \(x^2 + ax + b \) is \((x + p)(x + q) \)

Example 1:
Factor \(x^2 + 5x + 6\)
In this case, we need two factors of 6 that add to 5.
The factors are 2 and 3.
The factorization is \((x + 2)(x + 3) \)

Example 2:
Factor \(x^2 - 2x - 8\)
In this case, we need two factors of -8 that add to -2.
The factors are -4 and 2.
The factorization is \((x - 4)(x + 2) \)

Answer 4

thank you! that kinda makes sense.