Question

How do you factor the expression `x^2 + 6x – 7`?

Answer 1

You use the sum-product method.

Explanation:

This means that you factor `-7` and see what factors add up to the sum of `+6`.

The only ways you can factor:
`-7=(-1)(+7)=(+1)(-7)`

Only the factors `-1` and `+7` add up to `+6`

So you get: `=(x-1)(x+7)`