How do you express x^2-5x-24 as the product of two binomials?

1 Answer
Jun 28, 2016

x^2-5x-24=color(blue)((x-8)(x+3))

Explanation:

The trinomial

x^2-5x-24

In order to determine the two binomials that are the factors of the trinomial by doing the following:

Determine two numbers that when added equal -5 and when multiplied equal -24. (You may need to make a list of combinations of numbers to find one that works with your problem.)

The numbers -8 and 3 meet the criteria for this trinomial.

Rewrite the trinomial as two binomials.

(x-8)(x+3)