Question

Box Method

Answer 1

Answer:

(x - 2)(x - 3)

Step-by-step explanation:

The student factored the expression as (x - 1)(x - 6)

The error made is that - 6x and - 1x to not sum to - 5x

Given

x² - 5x + 6

Consider the factors of the constant term (+ 6) which sum to give the coefficient of the x- term (- 5)

The factors are - 2 and - 3, since

- 2 × - 3 = + 6 and - 2 - 3 = - 5, thus

x² - 2x - 3x + 6

= x(x - 2) - 3(x - 2)

= (x - 2)(x - 3)