How do you factor the expression #x^2 + 4x - 12#?

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Answer 1 · 2018-07-22T20:06:05

#(x-2)(x+6)#

Let's do a little thought experiment:

What two numbers sum up to #4# and have a product of #-12#?

After some trial and error, we arrive at #-2# and #6#. This allows us to factor this as

#(x-2)(x+6)#

Hope this helps!

Answer 2 · 2018-07-23T11:04:18

#(x+6)*(x-2)#

#x^2+4x-12#

=#x^2+4x+4-16#

=#(x+2)^2-4^2#

=#(x+2+4)*(x+2-4)#

=#(x+6)*(x-2)#