I am not sure why the answerers have treated an expression as an equation.
Anyway, as the other answerers have pointed out, the trinomial \(-x^2-14x-24\) is factorable. When factoring, I have one suggestion: Manipulate the expression so that the quadratic term (the x^2-term) is positive.
\(-x^2-14x-24\) | Factor out a negative one so that the quadratic term is positive. |
\(-(\textcolor{red}{x^2+14x+24})\) | Now, factor the quadratic highlighted in red. Using the "AC" method, ac=24 and b=14. 12 and 2 are the only pair of numbers that multiply to obtain 24 and add to obtain 14. |
\(-(x+12)(x+2)\) | There you go! You have factored this polynomial. |