Question

Can `y=x^2-4x-12` be factored? If so what are the factors ?

Answer 1

Yes!!!

Explanation:

y = `x^2 - 4x -12`
y = `x^2 -6x +2x -12`
y = x(x - 6) + 2(x - 6)
y = (x +2)(x - 6)

If there are two -ve signs after a square variable (`x^2`) we place negative sign with the larger value and positive sign with the smaller value (i.e. -6 & +2)