Question

Factor the trinomial completely. x^2-5x-24

Answer 1

The answer is:  " (x − 8) (x + 3) " .
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  " (x − 8) (x + 3) " are the factors of:  " x² − 5x − 24 " .
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Explanation:
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Given:  "x² − 5x − 24 " ;  Factor this "trinomial" expression completely.

We notice the "-5x" and the "-24 .

What factors of "-24" add up to "-5" ?

-1 + 24 ? No.

-24 + 1 ? no. 

-12 + 2 = -10? No.

12 + (-2) = 12 - 2 = 10 ? No.

-3 + 8 = 5 ? No.

-8 + 3 = -5 ?  Yes! 

So:   " (x − 8) (x + 3) " are the factors of:  " x² − 5x − 24 " .
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