Question

Explain the steps necessary for solving the following equation. x^2-8x-20=0

Answer 1

First factor the equation
(x-10)(x+2) = 0
Then solve for (x-10) and (x+2)
x=10
x=-2

Answer 2

 (warning: this is quite long :P)
the steps are:

Looking at the expression x² +8x-20,we can see that the first coefficient is 1, the second coefficient is 8 and the last term is -20.
Now multiply the first coefficient (1) by the last term (-20) to get  (1)·(-20)=-20.
Now the question is: what two whole numbers multiply to -20 (the previous product).
factors of -20:
1,2,4,5,10,20
-1, -2, -4, -5, -10, -20
note: list the negative of each factor. This will allow us to find all possible combinations.
These factors pair up to multiply to -20.
1*(-20) = -20
2*(-10) = -20
4*(-5) = -20
(-1)*(20*) = -20
(-2)*(10* = -20
(-4)*(5) = -20
now let's add up each pair of factors to see if one pair adds to the middle coefficient:

first number        second number      sum

     1                           -20              1+(-20)=-19
   2                            -10              2+(-10)=-9
   4                            -5                4+(-5)= -1
 -1                            20                -1 +20= 19
 -2                              10              -2+10=8
  -4                            5                  -4+5=1

From the table above, we can see that the two numbers -2 and 10 multipy to -20 and add up to 8.
Now replace the middle term 8x with -2x+10x. Remember, -2 and 10 add up to 8. so this shows us that -2x+10x=8x.

x²+-2x+10x -20 Replace the second term 8x with -2x +10x.
(x²-2x)+(10x-20) Group the terms into two pairs.
x(x-2x)+(10x-20) Factor out the GCF x from the first group.

x(x-2)+10·(x-2) Factor out 10 from the second group. The goal of this step is to make the terms in the second parenthesis equal to the terms in the first parenthesis.

(x+10)·(x-2) Combine like terms. Or factor out thge common term x-2.
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ANSWER:

So, x² + 8·x -20 factors to (x+20)·(x-2.
In other words, x² + 8·x-20=(x+10)·(x-2)

THIS IS HARD TO UNDERSTAND, BUT HOPE THIS HELPED YOU! AND HOPE YOU GET IT TOO!!!
:D

Hope it helps :)