How do you factor #u^ { 2} - 5u - 6#?

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Answer 1 · 2017-09-25T01:25:28

#(u -6)(u+1)#

In the # Ax^2 + Bx + C # form the C is negative which means that one factor must be negative and the other factor positive.

The B terms is negative so the negative factor of C must be larger than the positive factor

The B term is #-5# so the difference between the positive factor of #6# and the negative factor of #6# is five.

# 6 xx 1 = 6 # and # 6 -1 = 5#

so the factors are #6# and #1#, the #6# must be negative and the #1# positive. so

#u^2-5u-6#

= #u^2-6u+u-6#

= #u(u-6)+1(u-6)#

= #(u-6)(u+1)#