5x² - x - 6
The factors of 5 are 5 and 1.
The factors of 6 are either 6 and 1 or 3 and 2.
Since the number term (-6) is negative, we will need one + sign and one - sign.
So, the factors will look like (5x + ?)(x - ?) or (5x - ?)(x + ?)
Now replace the question marks with 6 and 1, 1 and 6, 3 and 2, and 2 and 3.
One of these four possibilities does work; try each one and check it by FOILing out.
5x² - x - 6
The factors of 5 are 5 and 1.
The factors of 6 are either 6 and 1 or 3 and 2.
Since the number term (-6) is negative, we will need one + sign and one - sign.
So, the factors will look like (5x + ?)(x - ?) or (5x - ?)(x + ?)
Now replace the question marks with 6 and 1, 1 and 6, 3 and 2, and 2 and 3.
One of these four possibilities does work; try each one and check it by FOILing out.