help

 

Factor x^2 - 3x - 10.  

 

 

x² – 3x – 10  =  (x + 2)(x – 5)  

_.

The middle number is -3 and the last number is -10.

 

Factoring means we want something like

(x+_)(x+_)

Which numbers go in the blanks?

 

We need two numbers that...

Add together to get -3

Multiply together to get -10

Can you think of the two numbers?

 

Try 2 and -5:

2+-5 = -3

2*-5 = -10

 

Fill in the blanks in
(x+_)(x+_)
with 2 and -5 to get...

(x+2)(x-5)

 

Answer: (x+2)(x-5)